National Development Strategy

Aligned with Uganda's Agro-industrialization Agenda

Strategic Framework

National Agro-Industrialization Agenda

To achieve the agro-industrialisation agenda, the programme prioritises six agricultural industrial value chains and selected priority crops based on agro-ecological zones. A fully developed agriculture industrial value chain should have developed primary, secondary, and tertiary industrial products.

Current Status

Despite all the investment done in agriculture over the years, the country boasts of only two fairly developed agriculture industrial value chains:

  • Dairy - Established and developed
  • Sugar - Established and developed

New Development Focus

The Plan targets to develop another four value chains, bringing the total to six:

  • Coffee - Widely grown, major export contributor
  • Vegetable Oils - Broad industrial applications (food, cosmetics, feeds, biofuels)
  • Cassava - Food security and industrial growth driver
  • Fish - Additional high-potential sector

The Six Priority Value Chains

Established

Dairy

Well-developed value chain with established production, processing, and market systems

Established

Sugar

Mature value chain with significant industrial processing and export capacity

In Development

Coffee

Major export contributor - widely grown with high market demand

In Development

Vegetable Oils

Broad applications in food, cosmetics, animal feeds, and biofuels

In Development

Cassava

Food security staple and industrial raw material for pharma, textiles, and fuel

In Development

Fish

Emerging sector with significant potential for domestic and export markets

Why Cassava?

Food Security

Cassava is a critical staple food for the majority of people across Uganda, directly addressing food and nutrition security for millions

Industrial Raw Material

Provides essential materials for diverse industries including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and emerging biofuel sectors

Income Generation

Creates multiple income opportunities across the value chain from production to processing and marketing

Import Replacement

Reduces dependency on imported industrial inputs, freeing foreign exchange for other critical imports

Industrial Potential

Uganda has four large cassava-based industries with high potential for expansion with supportive policies

Economic Growth

Agro-industrialization in cassava drives GDP contribution, employment, and national economic development

Cassava Value Chain Products

From basic crops to complex industrial products

1

Primary Products

  • Fresh cassava roots
  • Cassava leaves
2

Secondary Products

  • Cassava flour (HQCF)
  • Cassava starch
  • Cassava chips
  • Cassava peels
3

Tertiary Products

  • Pharmaceutical inputs
  • Textile starches
  • Ethanol fuels
  • Animal feed supplements
  • Bio-based plastics

Implementation Timeline

2025-2026

Foundation Phase

  • Establish farmer cooperatives
  • Distribute improved varieties
  • Build initial processing infrastructure
  • Establish quality standards
2027-2028

Scaling Phase

  • Expand to additional districts
  • Increase production volumes
  • Develop market linkages
  • Establish processing centers
2029-2030

Consolidation Phase

  • Full operational coverage
  • Industrial-scale processing
  • Regional market leadership
  • Export competitiveness

Strategic Objectives

Institutional Development

Strengthen farmer organizations, cooperatives, and value chain coordination mechanisms

Capacity Building

Train farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs in modern agricultural and processing practices

Technology Transfer

Adopt and transfer improved varieties, modern farming, and processing technologies

Market Development

Establish linkages between producers, processors, traders, and final markets

Finance Access

Facilitate access to affordable credit and financial services for value chain actors

Policy Advocacy

Promote supportive policies and regulatory frameworks for cassava agro-industrialization

Expected Outcomes by 2030

+4M

Metric tonnes annual production (from 3M)

+50%

Value addition from primary to secondary products

25,000+

Direct jobs created along the value chain

$100M+

Additional annual GDP contribution