Urgent Call from EAGC: Food Safety is a National Priority
Leaders from Uganda’s grain sector, backed by the East Africa Grains Council (EAGC), have pressed for decisive, rapid measures to tackle persistent food safety challenges. These concerns were highlighted at the Public-Private Engagement Forum on Food Safety, a gathering designed to align government policy, industry capabilities, and regional market demands. The forum underscored that food safety is not only a health issue but a pivotal determinant of Uganda’s competitiveness in regional grain trade.
Why Food Safety Matters for Uganda’s Grain Sector
Uganda’s grain industry—primarily maize, sorghum, and beans—has faced recurring problems with contaminants and quality standards. Aflatoxins, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues can render harvests unsellable in international markets and can erode trust among domestic buyers. The EAGC emphasized that improving food safety reduces post-harvest losses, extends shelf life, and strengthens farmer incomes by expanding access to higher-value markets.
Key Action Areas Highlighted at the Forum
- Strengthened Standards and Compliance: Aligning Uganda’s standards with regional benchmarks to ensure a smooth flow of grain across East African borders. This includes timely testing, clear certification processes, and transparent traceability from farm to fork.
- Public-Private Collaboration: Creating effective channels for dialogue and joint investments in testing laboratories, training, and extension services. The aim is to reduce delays caused by regulatory bottlenecks and inconsistent enforcement.
- Infrastructure and Logistics: Improving cleaning, drying, storage, and transport to minimize contamination risk and spoilage. Adequate infrastructure also supports cold chains where appropriate and helps maintain grain quality during transit.
- Training and Awareness: Equipping farmers, traders, and millers with practical knowledge on best practices in harvesting, drying, storage, and handling to prevent contamination at origin.
- Risk-Based Certification: Adopting scalable, risk-based approaches to inspections that protect public health while reducing unnecessary delays for compliant traders.
Impact on Food Security and Regional Trade
Uganda’s grain sector sits at a critical juncture. On one hand, the country needs resilient food systems to secure local nutrition and household food security. On the other, it must remain competitive within the regional market that includes Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and beyond. When food safety standards are rigorously enforced and consistently applied, Ugandan farmers gain access to lucrative regional markets, boosting rural incomes and contributing to national food resilience.
Policy Pathways for Rapid Implementation
Forum participants identified several pathways to accelerate progress. A coordinated plan that ties policy reform to practical support—such as subsidized testing services, accreditation programs for local labs, and streamlined permit processes—could shorten the lag between policy announcements and real-world outcomes. Importantly, the EAGC called for a timeline and accountability framework, with measurable targets for reductions in rejection rates at points of entry and improvements in on-farm post-harvest handling.
What This Means for Stakeholders
Farmers, traders, millers, and exporters should anticipate clearer guidelines, faster verification processes, and better access to quality assurance resources. For policymakers, the message is clear: align regulatory standards with market realities, invest in the necessary infrastructure, and sustain a dynamic public-private partnership that can adapt to evolving regional trade rules and consumer safety expectations.
Looking Ahead
Achieving meaningful improvements in food safety will require ongoing collaboration beyond a single forum. The EAGC’s call for urgent action sets the tone for a sustained push toward stronger quality control, more dependable supply chains, and a grain sector that supports both national food security and regional competitiveness.
