Farmers’ bodies join hands to boost agribusiness

The Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) and Africa Agribusiness Academy (AAA) have struck a partnership to foster a professional working relationship through mutual cooperation between the two organizations. This was reached at on December 7 between Mr. Kenneth Katungisa, the CEO, UNFFE and Mr. Farid Karama, the Executive Director, AAA.

AAA is an entrepreneur network seeking to foster innovation and growth of small and medium-scale agri-food firms in Africa by connecting entrepreneurs within Africa whereas UNFFE is the largest non-governmental farmers’ organization in Uganda. The partnership will deepen the two organizations to work together in furthering the development of the agribusiness sector through their respective mandates.

For instance, whereas the academy will give technical support agripreneurs by offering capacity development and training opportunities, UNFFE will influence agricultural policies for agribusiness small and medium enterprises through lobbying and advocacy.

According to Karama, AAA will add online traceable platforms for farmer groups all over the country. “AAA will also provide technical support in areas of expertise at a subsidized cost and facilitate business development services to farmer groups on agribusiness management,” he said.

Meanwhile, Katungisa promised to use UNFFE’s platform to enable the three million individual members access services specified in the partnership. “This partnership is a step in the right direction and will solidify the activities being implementing by the two organizations towards changing the face of the agriculture sector,” he said.

OVERVIEW

Both organizations will collaborate to championing new strategies to create new markets and favourable prices for agricultural products as well as co-organizing events to provide members with opportunities to network. This will involve joint resource mobilization and advocacy agenda on key policy issues.