Uganda is one of Africa’s fast-growing economies, which is in the middle of a socio-economic revolution. Uganda’s GDP has grown by more than 5% over the last two decades.
This expansion is paralleled by the country’s growing population and urbanization. In 2019, 24.4 percent of Uganda’s population lived in urban areas. By 2030, Uganda’s population is estimated to reach 60 million, with 31 percent of them living in urban areas.
Uganda’s agricultural sector will be challenged to produce and supply more and better food at accessible prices due to these economic and demographic developments. Unless the necessary measures are taken, the country may find itself in a perilous position as a result of this. Fortunately, researchers forecast that Uganda will reach zero hunger by 2030.
The researchers concentrate on the demand for traditional foods such as matooke (the country’s popular cooking banana), cassava, and sweet potato. They have also considered grains such as wheat, maize, and rice, which have increased in tandem with rising incomes and urbanization.
The study outcomes show that when money rises and demographic changes occur, the demand for certain foods will skyrocket.
Worryingly, the researchers explain that, while demand for all of these products rises, the total yield growth rate for major crops remains stagnant due to climate extremities, land degradation, and rural-urban migration.
As a result, the authors advocate for additional investment in Uganda’s agricultural sector to raise domestic production capacity. This will help to fulfill the country’s growing demand for food, better the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers, and end hunger
Numerous factors come into play if zero hunger is to be attained in Uganda by 2030. A lot will be needed from the country’s political system. The government must be willing to roll out policies that will motivate young people to remain in the rural areas instead of moving to towns and cities for informal employment. The political class must also address the issues of land degradation. Additionally, the government must educate and support farmers to practice irrigation and stop depending entirely on the rains for their farming activities.
