The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) Hon. Frank Tumwebaze has set up a committee to assess the problems with the efficiency and quality of drugs in the country.
This comes after a public outcry saying the drugs used are not effective.
The minister while addressing the press said that the committee will be tasked with assessing the problems that if its a question of quality of drugs, poor application by farmers or disease resistance to available drugs on the market in the country.
The team headed by the chairperson, Professor John David Kabaasa, the principal college of Veterinary medicine animal resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere will be supported by the secretariat at the ministry headed by Doctor Peter Beine from NAGRC.
The team will be tasked with studying and profiling various drugs and inputs and various sources available on the market in Uganda, study and profile the various agrochemicals, acaricides and inputs and their various sources that are available on the market in Uganda, study and profile the supply chain of agrochemicals, acaricides and inputs in Uganda with a view to establish existing gaps and loopholes in policy, regulatory frameworks and usage, study and inquire into the forms of complaints and their probable root causes regarding the quality of agrochemicals, acaricides and inputs from the farmers and other stakeholders in the entire value chain, study and review the appropriateness of the current Government
policy, institutional mandates and regulatory frameworks for agrochemicals, acaricides and inputs, make recommendations on the necessary reforms that Government needs to undertake in addressing the identified gaps in a sustainable manner, submitting the final report within 90 days.
In observance of the SOPs, the team will not traverse the country.
“during this period of Lockdown, they will do desk research and review available relevant literature”. He said
Tumwebaze added that on receipt of the final report, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) shall formulate a government white paper with clear policy and regulation reforms that will help address identified gaps for cabinet discussion and consideration.
