By Charles Katabalwa
Ugandan Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Ondoa, has urged the country’s youth to consider embracing animal feeds production as a means to combat unemployment. Speaking at a two-day seminar organized by Austrian Andritz Feeds and Biofuel industry in Kampala, Minister Ondoa highlighted the growing demand for animal feed in Uganda’s livestock and fisheries sectors.
According to a 2021 report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the dairy, poultry, and fisheries sectors have seen significant growth in recent years. Dairy production has reached 2.5 billion liters, poultry contributes 1.8 million metric tons of meat, and fisheries provide over 650,000 metric tons of fish.
Minister Ondoa outlined several strategies that the government is implementing to support the animal feed sector, including promoting technology and infrastructure development, fostering business partnerships, strengthening research, and enhancing access to finance for value chain actors.
At the same event Emmanuel Aimable Mbarushimana, chairman of UGAFMA, called for legislation to prevent the importation of animal feed inputs, allowing local manufacturers to benefit and create employment for youths. He emphasized that the necessary technology for local animal feed production is readily available in Uganda.
However, Minister Ondoa expressed concern about the overexploitation of water bodies and wetlands, which threatens the agricultural sector’s progress. She urged the population to preserve the environment to safeguard Uganda’s GDP contributions from agriculture.
Minister Ondoa encouraged industry stakeholders to collaborate during the seminar to address challenges, seize opportunities, and build a prosperous future for the animal feed, aquaculture, and biofuel industries in Uganda. With a united effort, the country can work towards sustainable development and economic growth.
