Uganda has formally concluded a major agricultural cooperation programme with China and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, marking the end of more than a decade of collaboration that has reshaped key parts of the country’s farming sector and set the stage for a new phase focused on scaling results.
The FAO–China South–South Cooperation initiative, launched in 2012, has been one of the longest-running programmes of its kind, positioning Uganda as a leading example of how developing countries can collaborate to transform agriculture through shared knowledge and technology. Over its lifespan, the programme went through three phases, combining financial support, technical expertise, and institutional coordination.
At its core, the partnership was designed to address one of Uganda’s most persistent economic challenges: low agricultural productivity. Agriculture supports a significant share of Uganda’s population, yet for years the sector has been dominated by subsistence farming with limited access to modern inputs, mechanisation, and market systems.
Through the programme, Chinese agricultural experts were deployed across Uganda to work directly with local farmers, government agencies, and research institutions. Their role focused on technology transfer, training, and the introduction of improved production systems across crops, livestock, and aquaculture.
The impact has been tangible. In some project areas, rice production increased fourfold, while milk yields rose significantly due to improved livestock practices. These gains were driven by the introduction of high-yield crop varieties, better animal breeding techniques, and more efficient farming practices.
The programme also expanded into value chain development, helping farmers move beyond production into processing and market access. This shift has been critical in increasing incomes and linking rural producers to domestic and international markets.
A key feature of the initiative has been its emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. Farmers participated in field demonstrations, classroom training, and peer-to-peer exchanges, creating an ecosystem where knowledge could be adapted to local conditions rather than imposed externally. More than 50 Chinese experts contributed to this process over the years, working closely with Ugandan counterparts to design solutions tailored to specific regions.
Another defining element of the partnership has been Uganda’s growing ownership of the programme. Unlike many development initiatives where external funding dominates, Uganda contributed significant financial resources, including nearly 10 million dollars in one phase, signaling strong national commitment to the project’s success.
Officials have described the programme as a model of South–South cooperation, where countries with similar development challenges collaborate to share expertise and build capacity. Uganda’s Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze noted that the initiative demonstrated how nations of the Global South can “share knowledge and technology to transform agri-food systems for mutual benefit.”
However, the conclusion of the programme does not mark an end but rather a transition. Government officials and partners have emphasised that the next phase will focus on scaling the gains achieved, ensuring that successful interventions are integrated into national systems and expanded across the country.
This shift reflects a broader understanding that pilot projects alone are not enough to drive long-term transformation. The real challenge lies in embedding innovations into existing policy frameworks and ensuring that they reach a wider population of farmers.
Uganda plans to integrate lessons from the programme into key national strategies, including its Parish Development Model and long-term development plans. This includes scaling technologies such as hybrid crops, improved livestock breeds, irrigation systems, and mechanisation tools that can help farmers produce more with fewer resources.
The need for scaling is becoming increasingly urgent. With limited land expansion and a shrinking agricultural labour force, Uganda must rely on technology and efficiency to meet rising food demand and support economic growth.
At the same time, the partnership has opened new trade opportunities. Uganda has expanded access to international markets for products such as chilli, avocado, and coffee, strengthening its position in global agricultural trade.
FAO officials have highlighted Uganda’s experience as a benchmark for effective cooperation, particularly because of its emphasis on national ownership and sustainability. The organisation has pledged continued technical support to help the country maintain and expand the gains achieved.
China, for its part, has reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing collaboration, particularly in areas such as technology transfer and capacity building. The partnership reflects a broader trend of increasing engagement between China and African countries in agriculture, infrastructure, and trade.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Scaling up interventions requires significant investment, coordination, and institutional capacity. There is also a need for continued research to adapt technologies to different regions and ensure they remain effective under changing climate conditions.
Nevertheless, the programme’s achievements provide a strong foundation. By combining technical expertise, local ownership, and practical implementation, the Uganda–China–FAO partnership has demonstrated a pathway for agricultural transformation that other countries may seek to replicate.
As the focus shifts from implementation to expansion, the success of the next phase will depend on how effectively Uganda can translate pilot successes into nationwide impact. The transition marks a critical moment, where the gains of the past decade must be consolidated and scaled to drive long-term growth and food security.
