10 countries form body to fight hunger

In the wake of rising food prices and food insecurity in the region, governments are seeking a common front.

The Ministry of Agriculture has launched a partnership with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro), and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (Asareca) to boost food production in the wake of rising prices and food insecurity in the region.

The Friday launch at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala was presided over by Agriculture minister Tress Bucyanayandi. He said the 10 member countries have a total population of more than 280 million people, most of whom are rural dwellers pursuing agricultural activities for sustanance.

“Given that the bulk of the region’s population resides in rural areas and depends on agriculture for income and sustenance, and given the low levels of productivity in the sector, hunger and malnutrition have deepened in East and Central Africa in the recent years,” Mr Bicyanayandi said.

“Climate change adds to the problems faced by our region, thus demanding extra effort in the fight to overcome important agricultural, social economic and environmental development challenges,” he added.

Asareca helps members share their research outcomes and to fight together such diseases as the cassava mosaic, banana wilt, among others.

Last week, Daily Monitor reported that an outbreak of brown disease and cassava mosaic, rapidly spreading in Teso sub-region, has left some thousands of people at risk of going without food. Cassava is a staple food for the Iteso.

Teso experienced food crisis in late 2009 that left the sub-region dependent on relief.
The 10 countries’ scientists keep visiting each other to compare notes in such areas as rainwater harvesting, soil replenishment and other climate change mitigation measures. Asareca’s headquarters are in Entebbe.

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