Uganda has formally endorsed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Agrifood Systems Investment Plan (RASIP) 2026–2035 and the IGAD Regional Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework, committing to deeper regional cooperation to tackle food insecurity, climate shocks and agricultural trade barriers.
The endorsement was made by Minister of State for Agriculture, Hon. Desire Muhooza, on behalf of the Government of Uganda during the IGAD Ministerial Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The two regional instruments are intended to provide a coordinated framework for strengthening agricultural production, food systems, seed trade and resilience across the IGAD region.
Speaking at the ministerial session, Muhooza said the urgency for coordinated action was underscored by the fact that more than 60 million people in the region remain acutely food insecure, with conflict, droughts, floods, displacement, pests and diseases, market disruptions and economic pressures continuing to undermine food production.
“These challenges do not respect national borders, and neither should our response,” Muhooza said.
$150m investment plan
The Minister stressed that the RASIP’s projected US$150 million investment envelope must go beyond policy commitments and be converted into practical, bankable and measurable interventions.
She said regional investments should complement individual countries’ agricultural investment plans while concentrating on areas where cross-border cooperation is critical.
These include cross-border agricultural trade, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, transboundary pests and diseases, pastoral mobility, climate information systems and regional agricultural value chains.
Muhooza urged IGAD to establish clear implementation arrangements and prioritise investments capable of delivering measurable results across member states.
She also called for predictable financing and urged development partners to align their support with the regional priorities agreed under RASIP.
Seed trade takes centre stage
Uganda also placed strong emphasis on the Regional Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework, with Muhooza describing access to and trade in quality seed as fundamental to improving agricultural productivity and building resilience to climate change.
According to the Minister, fragmented national seed laws, certification standards, variety-release procedures and quality assurance systems have continued to hinder the efficient movement of improved seed varieties across borders.
The new framework is expected to provide a pathway towards greater harmonisation of these systems across IGAD member states.
“Trade in quality seed is the starting point of agricultural productivity, food security and climate resilience,” Muhooza said.
Uganda said it would work towards greater alignment with regional seed standards, mutual recognition arrangements and certification mechanisms.
The country also committed to strengthening collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, private seed companies, farmer organisations and local seed enterprises.
Agriculture critical to Uganda’s economy
Muhooza used the ministerial forum to highlight the importance of agriculture to Uganda’s economy and livelihoods.
She said agriculture contributes 26.2 percent of Uganda’s GDP, employs close to 70 percent of the country’s labour force and accounts for approximately 38.5 percent of export earnings.
She pointed to the work of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in breeding, seed multiplication, inspection, certification, traceability and distribution as part of Uganda’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector.
Uganda further committed to aligning its national agricultural priorities with RASIP and strengthening links between national and regional planning and reporting systems.
The government also pledged to participate actively in mutual accountability mechanisms associated with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review and Joint Sector Review processes.
From endorsement to implementation
Muhooza challenged IGAD member states to ensure that the endorsement does not remain a policy declaration without tangible results.
She called for rapid establishment of implementation structures, prioritisation of high-impact regional investments and mobilisation of reliable resources to finance agreed interventions.
“Uganda stands ready to work with IGAD, fellow Member States and our partners to move decisively from endorsement to implementation,” she said.
The commitments come as the IGAD region continues to grapple with interconnected food-system challenges, making regional coordination on agricultural production, trade, climate resilience, livestock mobility and seed systems a central component of its long-term food security agenda.
The endorsement of RASIP 2026–2035 and the Regional Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework therefore places greater emphasis on regional integration of agricultural systems, with Uganda positioning itself to participate in the implementation, financing and accountability mechanisms that will underpin the two frameworks.
