An initiative is set to improve Uganda's agriculture sector through a collaborative project between Uganda and Korea. The VegeSeed Project, a nine-year partnership currently in its fourth year, aims to develop high-quality vegetable seeds suited to Uganda's environment, significantly enhancing agricultural productivity and farmers' incomes.
Speaking at a workshop in MUZARDI, Dr. Gabriel Ddamulira, the Namulonge Program Leader for Horticulture, highlighted the historical significance of the project. "For a long time, we haven't had vegetables produced locally at the scale required. This project marks the first time we'll be producing these seeds in Uganda. We cherish the importance of stakeholders in this initiative," he said. Dr. Ddamulira acknowledged the critical roles of both the Ugandan and Korean governments. "The government of Korea has provided funds and expertise to build our capacity, while the Ugandan government, through MAAIF, has ensured farmers are directly involved in seed production."
The Director of the Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI), Dr. Henry Aaron Mulindwa, emphasized the role of infrastructure and equipment provided through the project. "MUZARDI operates two stations that will both be engaged in this project. We are grateful to the Korean government for setting up the structures (greenhouses at MUZARDI) and providing essential equipment such as tractors for our farmers," he noted.
Prof. Yeoung Young-Rog, the VegeSeed Project Manager, expressed optimism about the project's potential impact, particularly for farmers. "The weather here is impressive compared to Korea, where we only harvest once a year. This collaboration between the Korean and Ugandan governments through the VegeSeed Project aims to make farmers happy by enabling them to produce Uganda bred high-quality seeds," he said.
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