The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), Odrek Rwabwogo has urged Ugandans to advocate for transformation of Uganda Industrial revolution so that Ugandan economic growth can benefit the citizens.
Rwabwogo made the remarks yesterday while addressing District Local Government Chairperson, opinion leaders and selected media activits at a meeting that took place at Kamu Farm Hotel near Nyakisharara Airstrip in Mbarara District.
He said that the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Development has developed an operational plan aimed at promoting rapid agricultural export drive.
Rwabwogo noted that although over 70% of Uganda is engaged in Agriculture, the sector remains constrained by fragmented, small production entities which is limiting competitiveness in regional and international markets.
He said that Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development seeks to drive economic transformation towards high value, export led economy by establishing Regional Aggregation Centers (RAC), that form four broad strategies anchored on 4 pillars that include market development and access, standards and compliance, infrastructure development and export financing.
The Regional Aggregation Centers are expected to improve agriculture from informal, fragmented trade to coordinated export grade system, and be based on a common product to avoid multiplicity of products that normally lose focus.
Rwabogo made it categorically clear that Uganda’s agricultural potential is undeniable and yet it’s market systems remain underdeveloped due to smallholder production, inconsistent quality standards, weak aggregation systems, high logistical costs and limited value addition.
Uganda has unique agricultural products to feed massive international demand in Africa and beyond such as coffee, tea and horticulture like mangoes and pineapples if they are effectively and consistently produced.
The country has also been producing food-secure products that feed deficit in neighbouring countries which include grains such as maize and beans, diary products such as powdered milk and fish.
Rwabwogo said that Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development will focus on building the systems and institutions needed to sustain Uganda’s export led industrialization, by concentrating on improving market access, standards compliance, export infrastructure and export financing.
This will be possible by strengthening agricultural production capacity, coordinating the export value chain and using correct data to guide decision making and policy formulation which will help the country to produce more, export more and create more jobs.
He therefore called on the elected leaders at all levels to become the mouthpiece for the agricultural transformation in their respective areas so that the operational plan for rapid agricultural exports drive can become a reality.
