Posted on June, 27, 2022 at 06:57 am
Uganda has contributed $9.6m through a Unilateral Trust Fund (UTF) in support of a South-South Cooperation project focused on crop and animal production.
The project is implemented in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Chinese government.
FAO revealed in a statement that under the agreement signed in Kampala by FAO representative, Antonio Querido, and finance minister Matia Kasaijia, the Uganda UTF will be used to support the overall implementation of Phase III of the project.
The Funding, FAO says will focus on four areas namely; establishment of an integrated technology transfer base; development of high-yielding schemes for rice and foxtail millet; support for livestock improvement programmes; and development of the aquaculture value chain.
“The Uganda Trust Fund contribution to Phase III of the SSC project marks a strong endorsement of the significant impact it has already had and a resounding vote of confidence in its potential for continuing improvements to the lives and livelihoods of Ugandan farmers and those who depend on them,” Querido said.
The support will directly reach a minimum of 9,600 farmers, of whom at least 30 per cent will be women, as well as provide training for 200 technical officers in Uganda and China.
Implemented also in Uganda, China’s technical assistance to Uganda under Phases I and II have already brought significant results, addressing the East African country’s longstanding issues of poor agricultural productivity.
One project area saw a fourfold increase in rice production per hectare, while in other areas, milk production increased from 2 to 7 litres per cow per day.
More than 3 000 Ugandan farmers and 80 government staff have been trained, while high-quality, low-cost fish feed techniques have increased aquaculture production.
Over the past two decades, $435 million has been invested in South Sudan projects and activities.
Source: New Vision