The Modernization of Agriculture

Agricultural development is a critical catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction in Sub Saharan Africa and is the mainstay of majority of Ugandans. Increased productivity in agriculture lies at the heart of any poverty eradication and economic growth strategy in Uganda. The government of Uganda has been implementing the Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) as a holistic framework to develop agriculture. PMA places a big responsibility on the private sector to modernise agriculture by stepping into the role previously occupied by government. The private sector is expected to respond to the forces of demand and supply in agriculture through the provision of agricultural finance, inputs, advisory services, affordable and appropriate technology, storage facilities and agro processing facilities. Despite several interventions, the private sector has made little headway and much more still needs to be done. An analysis of the respondents' views provides insightful feedback about the role of the private sector. While the modernisation of agriculture has taken some strides, more needs to be done to actively engage the private sector in the modernisation of agriculture.