Uganda is facing a significant challenge: it still doesn’t produce enough vegetable oil to meet its own needs, forcing the country to import massive quantities despite ongoing government efforts. Officials involved in the National Oilseeds Project (NOSP) are sounding the alarm, emphasizing that this shortfall continues to cost the nation dearly.
The country’s annual demand for vegetable oil is around 450,000 metric tons, but local production only reaches about 80,000 metric tons. This leaves a massive deficit of nearly 370,000 metric tons. To cover this gap, Uganda spends approximately 300 million US dollars every year on imported edible oil – a significant drain on its economy.
At a recent meeting, Lira District’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Otim Denis Otto, urged all stakeholders – from local governments to private businesses and agricultural advisors – to redouble their efforts in implementing the oilseed project before its 2028 deadline. He stressed that farmers are crucial to closing this gap. They need to improve their yields by using better quality seeds, adopting modern farming techniques, and utilizing available agricultural support services.
Mr. Otto also challenged those managing the project and agricultural officers to ensure that the project achieves its intended goals, noting that progress has been slower than expected. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure, asking engineers to ensure that new community roads directly benefit farming communities by connecting productive rural areas to markets, making it easier for farmers to sell their produce.
Emmanuel Moses Tukei, an agronomist with the NOSP, explained that the project is focused on boosting the production of key oilseed crops like sunflower, sesame, groundnuts, and soybeans. This effort spans 81 districts across various regions of Uganda. The entire initiative is a cornerstone of Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, which aims to transform agriculture into a commercial industry, ultimately increasing household incomes, creating jobs, and driving overall economic growth for the nation.