Uganda: President urges farmers to tap US, EU and Asia markets

President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandan farmers to modernize agricultural production for higher yields that attract both local and international markets.

The President was addressing exhibitors at the 16th Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show in Jinja.

The show was organized by the Uganda National Farmers Federation and has attracted over 300 exhibitors.

The six day event is running under the theme “Targeting increased Agricultural Production as the Engine of Economic Growth”.

Museveni re-affirmed government commitment to support farmers in all the spheres and told the exhibitors and show goers that the peace and security now prevailing in Uganda should act as an impetus for development.

He assured farmers that now is the right time for them to work hard because there is a lot of demand for agricultural produce in Uganda and other countries.

The President assured farmers that the Europeans and Americans have opened up opportunities for African products through AGOA and EBA tariff and quota free. He also said that China and India have also opened up for African products.

He said that government has put in place improved breeds for both crops and animals. He also said that the road network has been improved adding that the earlier network had not done well because of over reliance on external funding.

He announced that government has budgeted US$660 million for road development in the 2008/2009 financial year adding that this will go along way in accelerating national economic growth.