US gov’t renews Feed the Future partnership

The United States Government has renewed its assistance to Uganda’s agricultural sector under the Feed The Future (FTF) programme for five more years.

The Declaration of Partnership agreement was signed between representatives of both governments at Kampala Serena hotel this week.

The US government didn’t reveal the amount of money it anticipates to spend over the next five years, but the just ended exercise got over US$150 million.

Uganda’s Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and American ambassador Deborah Malac witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Ambassador Malac said during the first five years of FTF which started in 2011, the programme recorded impressive achievements including improving incomes and food security of nearly 2 million people in over two dozen districts.

Feed the Future approaches agriculture and food security from a systems perspective. This means that all the actors – government, private sector, civil society and development partners must all play their respective roles in order for hte system to deliver on its potential and truly benefit Ugandans.

Ambassador Malac observed that Uganda remains highly vulnerable to shocks.

She said: “The very late start to the rains this season could substantially impact production and prices of key staple foods. The absolute number of Ugandans living in poverty grows rapidly every year.

Further, there is still not enough public investment in social and other services that will give young people the foundation to achieve thier potential and help Ugandans escape from chronic vulnerability.”

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