Latest news with #MAAIF
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Uganda imports Chinese hybrid goats to boost livestock industry
ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Nine Chinese hybrid goats, also known as Jianzhou big-eared goats, have arrived in Uganda as the East African country seeks to boost its goat meat production and livestock industry. The goats -- three males and six females -- landed at Entebbe International Airport on Monday night after a journey of more than 10 hours from Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. As a crossbreed between the British Nubian goat and the Jianyang local goat breed, this is the first time the Jianzhou big-eared goats have been exported outside China. The animals were imported under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project, a tripartite initiative aimed at transferring agricultural technologies and best practices from China to Uganda. The project focuses on crop production, aquaculture, and livestock improvement. Under its livestock component, the Jianzhou big-eared goat has been identified as a key breed to help transform Uganda's goat farming sector, according to Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). Rose Ademun, commissioner for animal health at MAAIF, said the Jianzhou big-eared goat is "a superior meat breed known for its rapid growth, high carcass yield, and adaptability to various agro-climatic conditions." Ademun made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), where the imported goats are housed and will undergo a research and multiplication phase. Beyond increasing meat output, the imported goats will also be used to crossbreed with local ones to improve productivity, ultimately raising farmers' incomes, Ademun added, while thanking China for sharing the breed. Julius Twinamasiko, head of the Ugandan side of the South-South Cooperation project, told Xinhua that Ugandan farmers and extension workers would acquire valuable skills in modern goat husbandry through the program. "They are going to increase production; they are going to help us as a country to increase meat production. This will translate to increased foreign exchange for the country," Twinamasiko said. "In the next few years, we will have multiplied these goats. They will be farmed across the country," he added. Since 2012, under the tripartite cooperation framework, China has dispatched agricultural experts to work directly with Ugandan farmers, sharing skills and technology. In the crop sector, they have introduced high-yielding varieties such as foxtail millet and hybrid rice, alongside expertise in aquaculture and livestock farming.
Zawya
30-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Avocado sector platform in Uganda to propel growth and unlock global market opportunities
Key public and private sector stakeholders convened in Kampala to validate the national avocado sector roadmap and action plan for the next three years. The milestone marks the culmination of a series of collaborative efforts led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), with support from the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the European Union (EU)-funded EU-East African Community (EAC) Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II). Building on the first consultative meeting held in November 2024, two informal meetings were held in February and March 2025 to review and refine the roadmap. The platform's formalization under MAAIF leadership reflects strong public-private commitment to transforming Uganda into a competitive avocado exporter. Key steps have been taken to operationalize the platform, including preparation of a draft secretariat budget and exploration of funding opportunities. A public-private partnership model is envisioned, with MAAIF hosting the platform and private sector partners supporting the secretariat. An Expression of Interest for the secretariat was shared with industry associations and will be soon finalized. MAAIF will officially activate the platform and convene its first formal meeting to elect a Chair, finalize the work plan, set key performance indicators for the platform. The Uganda Avocado Roadmap prioritizes several transformative actions.: Improved Hass seedling distribution at preferential rates; Promotion of GAP certification through avocado associations; Establishment of a hub-and-spoke model with commercial farmers and cooperatives to serve as input supply, aggregation, and learning centers; Creation of an avocado export consortium for collective international representation and standards compliance; Investment in affordable packaging solutions and cold-chain for fresh exports; Possible development of an avocado oil refinery and valorization of waste (e.g., seed husks, pulp residue) into animal feed. The validated roadmap sets a clear direction for the sector, positioning Uganda to increase avocado exports, enhance farmer livelihoods, and contribute to agro-industrial transformation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Reuters
24-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Value of Uganda's coffee exports surge 83% in January on the year
KAMPALA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The value of Uganda's coffee exports surged 83.4% in January, compared to the same month a year ago, boosted by high global prices of the commodity, the agriculture ministry said. Uganda is Africa's largest exporter of coffee, followed by Ethiopia. The east African country shipped 550,341 60-kilogram bags of coffee worth $156.5 million, 83.4% higher than the value of volumes shipped in the same month last year, the ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries (MAAIF) said in a report seen by Reuters on Monday. Advertisement · Scroll to continue Report this ad In terms of quantity, January's shipments were 14.4% higher than the volumes exported a year ago. Global coffee prices have been driven higher by dry weather conditions in Brazil and Vietnam, MAAIF said. Get a look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets with the Morning Bid U.S. newsletter. Sign up here.
