Uganda, Kenya seek agreement on food
Maj Gen George Owinoh (C), the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda inspects maize which has been harvested in Kiryandongo District recently. PHOTO | STEHEN OTAGE
The Kenyan government has called for a framework under which Uganda can start producing food in a structured way for a guaranteed market in Kenya to address its food needs and enhance income for Ugandan farmers.
According to Maj Gen George Owinow, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, one of the major challenges that his country faces is food insecurity, which he said can be addressed if both governments create a structured way of producing food with a guaranteed market.
“It is one year since I came here as the high commissioner. The biggest challenge has been food insecurity for Kenya. If we can get it right, then it would be beneficial for us if we did it in a structured manner. We do not produce enough maize and wheat,” he said.
He added that Uganda is blessed with a diversity of food that should be marketed in Kenya too.
Last week, Maj Gen Owinow led a delegation comprising of Kenyan insurance companies, banks, investment advisors, agronomists, agricultural equipment manufacturers and dealers, among others, to the districts of Kiryandongo, Lira, Dokolo, Amuru and Lamwo, on a fact-finding mission to understand the conditions under which local companies and those owned by Kenyans in northern Uganda, are producing food that is exported to Kenya.
He told local leaders about the business opportunities available for both countries, especially to the farmers.
He noted that Kenya is in dire need of beans, coffee, soya, sorghum, maize, millet, rice and cassava, which are produced in Uganda but it can only access 40 percent of it.
In Amuru District, where Kenyan farmers have established mechanised farms, Mr Micheal Lagony, the district chairman, urged Kenyan farmers to coordinate with their counterparts in Uganda for better trade.
“How are you engaging the community to be part of your investment? Since you are now the nucleus farm, have you raised model farmers? How are you engaging Saccos? Are you allowing them to be part of your investment? Are they having access to your machinery so that you become the centre for development?” he asked the investors.
