Nairobi, Kenya The Kenyan government has issued a call for the development of a structured framework that would enable Uganda to ramp up its food production and provide a guaranteed market in Kenya. This initiative aims to address Kenya’s ongoing food security challenges and boost the income of Ugandan farmers.
Maj. Gen. George Owinow, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, highlighted the pressing issue of food insecurity in Kenya, which he believes can be effectively mitigated through a collaborative approach. “It has been one year since I came here as the high commissioner. The biggest challenge has been food insecurity in 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 stated.
Owinow emphasized that Uganda possesses a diverse range of food products that could find a ready market in Kenya. As part of this initiative, Maj Gen Owinow recently led a delegation comprising Kenyan insurance companies, banks, investment advisors, agronomists, agricultural equipment manufacturers, and dealers to several districts in northern Uganda. The purpose of this fact-finding mission was to gain insights into the conditions under which local companies, including those owned by Kenyans, produce food for export to Kenya.
During their visit to districts such as Kiryandongo, Lira, Dokolo, Amuru, and Lamwo, the Kenyan delegation engaged with local leaders and shared insights about the numerous business opportunities that exist for both nations, particularly for farmers. Kenya expressed a strong demand for Ugandan products such as beans, coffee, soya, sorghum, maize, millet, rice, and cassava. However, they currently access only 40 percent of their requirements.
In Amuru District, where Kenyan farmers have established mechanized farms, Mr. Michael Lagony, the district chairman, urged Kenyan farmers to collaborate closely with their Ugandan counterparts to enhance trade. Lagony inquired about the involvement of the local community in these investments and encouraged the Kenyan investors to engage with local Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) and grant them access to machinery. This collaborative effort aims to promote sustainable development and mutually beneficial trade relations between the two countries.
This joint endeavor between Kenya and Uganda holds the potential to not only bolster food security in Kenya but also foster economic growth for Ugandan farmers. As the two nations work together to establish a structured food production and distribution system, it is hoped that this partnership will lead to a more stable and prosperous future for both countries.
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