UNBS and MAAIF Promote Standardization to Boost Market Access for PDM Beneficiaries

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) have intensified efforts to bring standardization awareness to the grassroots. Their focus is on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating within the agricultural value chain, encouraging them to adopt standards and acquire product certification to enhance market penetration and competitiveness at national, regional, and international levels.

This initiative aligns with the government’s broader objectives under the Parish Development Model (PDM), Export Promotion, Import Substitution, and Industrialization programs. These are key drivers in Uganda’s ambition to achieve a tenfold economic growth, expanding from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040.

The recent stakeholder sensitization seminar, held in the Busoga sub-region, was organized by UNBS in collaboration with MAAIF, with support from TradeMark Africa (TMA). During the seminar, Sylvia Kirabo, Head of Public Relations and Marketing at UNBS, emphasized the necessity of UNBS certification for MSMEs dealing in the 18 priority products under PDM. Without the UNBS certification mark, she noted, these enterprises would struggle to access markets.

The prioritized products include coffee, cotton, cocoa, cassava, tea, vegetable oils/palm oil, maize, rice, sugarcane, fish, dairy, beef, bananas, beans, avocado, shea nut, cashew nuts, and macadamia nuts. PDM serves as the final mile strategy in service delivery, aimed at improving household incomes and welfare.

So far, UNBS has developed and domesticated over 1,133 product standards within the agricultural value chain. This aligns with its mission to support MSMEs in obtaining the UNBS certification mark, ensuring product quality and compliance with market requirements.

To facilitate MSMEs further, the government recently subsidized certification fees. Micro and small enterprises now pay UGX 500,000 annually in audit fees, significantly reduced from UGX 1,000,000, which remains applicable to medium and large enterprises. However, testing fees remain separate. Mr. Abubaker Bakulumpagi, Head of the MSME Division at UNBS, acknowledged the need for additional subsidies but commended the government’s recent financial relief efforts.

MAAIF, through its Senior Inspector Dr. Alexander Ssamula,

encouraged MSMEs to collaborate with extension officers to ensure appropriate use of agrochemicals. He cautioned farmers against using banned chemicals, urging them to consult MAAIF’s website, district offices, and parish-based extension officers for updated lists of approved agrochemicals.

To date, over 600 agro-industrial MSMEs have been trained and sensitized under the Standards Partnership Project across multiple regions, including Lango, Buganda, Ankole, Bugisu, and Busoga. This initiative, implemented by UNBS and MAAIF with support from TradeMark Africa, aims to align Uganda’s agricultural practices with Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP) and other international standards. This alignment is crucial for ensuring the economic viability of Uganda’s agricultural sector by meeting stringent quality and safety requirements for local and export markets.

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)

UNBS is a government agency responsible for standardization, quality assurance, testing, and metrology in Uganda. Its goal is to enhance the competitiveness of locally manufactured products, promote fair trade, and protect consumer health, safety, and the environment.

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)

MAAIF oversees Uganda’s agricultural sector by formulating, reviewing, and implementing policies, plans, strategies, regulations, and standards across the value chains of crops, livestock, and fisheries.

TradeMark Africa (TMA) TradeMark Africa

(TMA) is an Aid-for-Trade organization dedicated to increasing sustainable and inclusive intra-African trade and global exports. Its mission is to drive prosperity through enhanced trade facilitation.

The combined efforts of UNBS and MAAIF in standardization and certification are set to transform Uganda’s agricultural sector. By equipping MSMEs with the necessary tools to meet national and international standards, the government is fostering economic growth, increasing market access, and improving the livelihoods of small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs under the PDM framework. With continued sensitization and financial support, Uganda’s MSMEs stand a stronger chance of thriving in competitive markets, ultimately contributing to the nation’s economic aspirations.