MAAIF is Not Buying Fertilizers

August 6, 2024-Entebbe, WAKISO: Our attention has been drawn to story being run by the Red Pepper titled, “MAAIF Bosses on spot for ring-fencing the supply and delivery of Fertilizers.” The story further alleges that a fertilizer supply deal has been reserved for a yet to be identified city lawyer hailing from Ntungamo District.

The farming community and general public are hereby informed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) does not procure fertilizers and neither do any of the foreign funded projects executed by it. The Ministry however has the mandate to regulate Agro-Input dealers across the country through the Crop Inspection and Certification Department.

This is mainly because of a policy shift where the government stopped providing free inputs, and is now only certifying inputs to be purchased by the farmers through the Parish Development Model (launched in 2022 and implemented across the entire country).

The Public is further informed that procurement of services at the Ministry is done within the strictest adherence to the Public Procurement and Disposal Act guidelines. Any call for procurement is communicated in the Media and is also available on the Ministry website, www.agriculture.go.ug

The Farming Community and Agriculture Stakeholders are therefore advised to disregard allegations about any procurement of fertilizers, and be careful about being conned. They should also treat unfounded accusations with the contempt they deserve.

 Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukanh PERMANENT SECRETARY Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries