The Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish a Food and Agricultural Authority that will be mandated with food-related matters. The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, made the pronouncement while presenting a statement on World Food Day, during the plenary sitting on Wednesday.
Tumwebaze explained that the newly approved Food and Agricultural Authority will be tasked with overseeing all matters related to food production, safety, and security.
“The Authority will work in conjunction with the National Drugs Authority and the National Bureau of Standards to ensure that we achieve and maintain food security,” said Tumwebaze.
The authority is expected to provide a robust framework for addressing food-related concerns, setting and enforcing standards, and fostering innovation in agricultural practices.
During his address, the minister also unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering food production in the country. He highlighted the achievements of scientists at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), who have developed new crop varieties tailored to meet the growing demand for nutritious and sustainable food sources.
Among the innovations revealed by the minister were two new maize varieties, Naromaize 63 PVA and Naromaize 64STR. Naromaize 63 PVA is an orange maize breed that is rich in Vitamin A, addressing nutritional deficiencies in the population. Naromaize 64STR, on the other hand, features inherent characteristics for striga resistance, promising improved crop yield and resilience.
In addition to these maize varieties, two new sweet potato varieties were introduced, featuring orange flesh rich in Vitamin A. These varieties are not only suitable for food consumption but also cater to the confectionary industry’s needs, offering an array of potential applications.
