To implement the Global Development Initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA) recently launched Phase III of the China-FAO-Uganda South–South Cooperation (SSC) Programme and selected experts to participate in the work in Uganda. Nine agricultural experts from Sichuan Province set off for Uganda on Nov. 19, 2022. They will stay there for three years to help with agricultural technology cooperation.  

Phases I and II of the China-FAO-Uganda SSC Programme were implemented from 2012 to 2014 and 2016 to 2018, respectively. A total of 47 Chinese experts and technicians were deployed in Uganda to help the country improve food security and reduce hunger and poverty. The projects have brought significant political, economic, and social benefits to Uganda, thus earning a letter of appreciation from the Ugandan president. They were also recognized as one of the best cases in the “Global Solicitation of Best Poverty Reduction Practices (First Call).”  

The year 2022 marks the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of China-Uganda diplomatic relations. In order to promote the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and improve food security, the Phase III Project will establish an SSC Innovation Center for Agricultural Technology based on previous outcomes. It will also give full play to two platforms, namely the China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Parks and the China-Uganda Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers.  

Furthermore, the project will focus on strengthening cooperation on rice, aquaculture, and animal husbandry, and establish a demonstration base for high-yielding rice, an R&D center for the aquaculture value chain, as well as a sustainable circular system for upgrading the animal husbandry industry, with the aim to build flagship projects and brands for the China-FAO SSC Programme.  

MARA, together with FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of Uganda, and the People’s Government of Sichuan Province, held a seeing-off meeting for the expert team.