The Minister of Agriculture has called for increased investment in agricultural research, innovation and climate-resilient farming as anticipated El Niño conditions threaten food security and nutrition gains.
The call was made during the national World Food Day celebrations at the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MBAZARDI), which also marked 100 years of agricultural research and innovation at the institute.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze said scientific research was essential to addressing the country’s agricultural challenges while balancing food production, household incomes, livestock feed requirements and environmental protection.
“We need to balance between the four pillars of farming: food security farming, income-generating crops, animal feed security crops and environmental security. Research and science come in to balance enablers such as knowledge, tools and innovations,” Tumwebaze said.
He said World Food Day provides an opportunity to connect research findings and agricultural innovations with farming communities to ensure that scientific knowledge translates into practical solutions for farmers.
Emmanuel Rustinda, the World Food Programme (WFP) Head of the South West Region, who represented the Country Director, Wanja Kaaria-Ndohо, warned that anticipated El Niño conditions between October and December 2026 could reverse progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition.
“This year’s commemoration coincides with the global El Niño that is rolling back hard-won gains against hunger and malnutrition,” Rustinda said.
“The El Niño is expected between October and December. It makes today’s theme more than a slogan. Innovation now is the difference between holding these gains and losing them,” he added.
Rustinda said innovation should be supported by government leadership and combine modern technologies with indigenous knowledge and farming practices adapted to local conditions.
He said WFP was scaling up anticipatory action to help communities prepare for anticipated climate shocks before they occur.
The programme is also promoting indigenous crops, locally adapted varieties and knowledge held by pastoral communities.
Rustinda reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
He also highlighted post-harvest food losses as a major challenge, estimating that 30 to 40 percent of food is lost between harvest and the market because of inadequate handling and storage facilities.
He said improved post-harvest management, storage technologies and access to markets were necessary to reduce losses and increase the returns farmers earn from their produce.
Rustinda added that WFP was strengthening market linkages between farmers, agro-dealers and private-sector actors to expand market opportunities and support sustainable agricultural livelihoods.
The four-day celebrations, held under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” attracted more than 3,000 participants, including government officials, researchers, development partners, farmers and private-sector representatives.
Participants explored emerging agricultural technologies, artificial intelligence, digital solutions and climate-smart farming practices.
The celebrations were organised by the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the National Agricultural Research Organisation, in collaboration with development partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and WFP-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
