Stakeholders in Uganda’s agriculture sector have called for stronger collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, manufacturers, and farmers to tackle counterfeit agricultural inputs and strengthen food security across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The call was made during the second CropLife Uganda Symposium held at Sheraton Hotel Kampala under the theme: “Emerging trends in seeds, crop protection and fertiliser industry: Embracing change and sustainability to ensure food security, health and safety.” The event brought together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, researchers, development partners, and farmers to discuss innovation, regulation, and sustainable food production.
Dr. Paul Mwambu, Commissioner for Crop Inspection and Certification at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said government had made progress in addressing counterfeit inputs but emphasized the need for tougher enforcement.
“We have made strides in fighting counterfeits, but stronger punitive action is needed,” he said, proposing deregistration of agro-input dealers found selling fake products.
Mwambu noted that agro-input dealers are certified every two years, and those who violate standards should lose their licenses to send a clear message about the risks counterfeit inputs pose to farmers and the wider economy.
CropLife Uganda Chairperson Agnes Mbabazi stressed the importance of industry responsibility and cooperation. She described the agro-input sector as critical to national survival, warning that poor-quality or fake inputs could threaten the health of millions.
“This is not just business—it is about feeding the nation. Counterfeit inputs can have serious consequences, and must be addressed with urgency,” she said.
Mbabazi added that CropLife Uganda is working closely with regulators and industry players to strengthen compliance, promote accountability, and improve clarity on banned and restricted products.
At the same event, Melissa Nyakwe, Head of Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda, said the bank’s involvement reflects its commitment to supporting agriculture and economic growth.
She noted that the bank is working to reduce risks in agriculture by expanding access to affordable and structured financing across the value chain—from large input distributors to smallholder farmers.
“We are building climate-smart financing solutions to help agribusinesses adapt to environmental challenges and remain sustainable,” she said.
Nyakwe also highlighted initiatives such as the Stanbic Business Incubator and Stanbic For Her, which support youth- and women-led enterprises through financial literacy, mentorship, and access to modern technologies.
However, she emphasized that financing alone cannot solve the problem of counterfeit inputs.
“We need coordinated efforts—strong policies, ethical practices, and quality assurance across the entire agricultural system,” she said.
From a regional perspective, Stella Simiyu of CropLife Middle East called for more efficient and science-based regulatory systems to support innovation and improve farmer access to quality inputs.
She noted that technologies such as improved seeds, biological crop protection products, drones, precision agriculture, and artificial intelligence can only benefit farmers if regulatory systems are responsive and well-coordinated.
“Slow approval processes and weak coordination continue to delay access to important technologies,” she said, urging governments to invest in technical capacity, digital systems, and harmonised regulations.
Meanwhile, Given Mudenda warned that Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing pressure to boost food production due to rapid population growth.
He noted that the region’s population is expected to double by 2050, making it critical to scale up agricultural productivity.
“If the population is growing that fast, food production must increase significantly. Yet many countries are already struggling,” he said.
Mudenda pointed to low productivity among smallholder farmers as a major challenge, noting that maize yields in many African countries remain far below global standards.
He called for greater investment in farmer training, climate-resilient technologies, post-harvest systems, and access to quality inputs to improve output and reduce losses.
He also raised concerns about international regulatory barriers, including European Union food safety standards, which continue to limit market access for African agricultural exports.
Participants agreed that eliminating counterfeit inputs, improving access to finance, and strengthening regulatory systems are essential steps toward building a more resilient agricultural sector capable of feeding Uganda’s growing population and supporting regional food security.
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