While launching the Sanitary and Phytosanitary System (SPS) for Horticulture project at aims at improving quality and boosting export, at Hotel Africana, the commissioner for crop inspection and certification Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries Dr. Paul Mwambu said the project represents a significant step forward in the country’s collective efforts to strengthen its horticultural sector and enhance access to international markets.
Dr. Mwambu explained that as a ministry their role is to ensure quality seeds, quality fertilisers, quality pesticides, protection of the environment and taking crop inspectors nearer to food production chains.
We have a duty under the World Trade Organization to ensure that what we clear for international trading should be free from pests or other harmful organisms – He added
He pledged to make good use of the 8Million Euros injected in the project by the European Union, so that Uganda is able to improve her horticulture and be able to sell its products to not only EU’s premier market, but also take lead in other global markets where they are being out competed by countries like Nigeria.
The European Union Ambassador to Uganda H.E Jan Sadek noted that this initiative is not just about improving standards, it’s also about unlocking Uganda’s potential as a key player in the global agriculture market, particularly in exports to Europe.
He lauded Uganda, for its hard working farmers who produce high quality fresh fruits and vegetables, favoured by the fertile soils and good climatic conditions, but however, made emphasis on stringent sanitary and phytosanitary standards in order to access international markets, and particularly the European market,
These are not barriers, as we see, they are rather enablers of trust between trading partners and guarantees that those products are safe for consumption, both in Europe and Uganda. So this is not an unrealistic bureaucratic approach from our side – he explained.
Sadek acknowledged the fact that many Ugandan farmers and exporters, face challenges in meeting the required standards amongst which include; limited knowledge of SPS requirements, inadequate infrastructure for compliance and an insufficient capacity for testing and certification, and as a result, Uganda’s share in the EU market of fresh fruits and vegetables remain far below its potential, but he is certain that this project will address these challenges head on, through building capacity among farmers and exporters to understand and comply with SPS requirements, hold training programs, awareness campaigns, and even setting up a logistic network that will include a reasonable chain transport system.
Sadek looks at seeing a standard packaging house, a one collection center to be used by those not big enough to have their own facilities, strengthening infrastructure, including laboratories for testing residues and pathogens, which are critical for the certification processes.
He pledged continued support to Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries in implementing effective SPS policies and regulations and promote partnerships between Uganda producers and European buyers to ensure that Uganda products meet market demands while maintaining quality standards.
The Regional Director for Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), Dr. Morris Akiri, expressed gratitude to the European Union for the support towards improving Uganda’s horticulture through strengthening the SPS systems and said the project aligns well with Uganda’s National Development Plan III (NDP III) and contributes to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) – The project also addresses the critical issues of deforestation by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that protect natural resources.
The project which is running until 2nd.02.2029, and is to benefit a variety of people ranging from small scale farmers, farmer-based organizations, groups and cooperatives, plus support services such as research organizations, is to be implemented by CABI in collaboration with the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship Agricultural Development (COLEAD) – Priority fruits and Vegetables include; Mangoes, Okra, Avocados, Pineapples among others.
With approximately 5.8 million tons annually that collects $35millions, Uganda is the second largest producer of fresh fruits and vegetables in Sub-Sahara Africa next to Nigeria which produces 11 million tons.
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