The prime minister of Uganda Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has underscored the need for government to expedite the review of polices that will help in the development of the agricultural sector in the country.
In statement read by the minister of Agriculture Vincent Sempijja at the launch of the National agricultural extension policy and strategy in Kampala, he said the rate of growth of agricultural sector has declined gradually from 7.9 in 2001 to 3.1 in 2015/2016 which is below the country’s population growth rate.
He argues that having well -functioning markets is essential to energizing the agricultural sector.
He says the agriculture sector remains stagnant yet it employs more than 75% of the population and close to 70% of all house -holds derive their livelihood from agriculture
The national agricultural extension policy will supplement the NAADS program to help train farmers on water harvesting, selection of high quality seeds and link them to appropriate technology.