Stakeholders in Uganda’s agriculture sector have called for stronger collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, manufacturers and farmers to combat counterfeit agricultural inputs and strengthen food security across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The call was made during the second edition of the CropLife Uganda Symposium held at Sheraton Hotel Kampala under the theme: “Emerging trends in seeds, crop protection and fertiliser industry: Embracing change and sustainability to ensure food security, health and safety.”
The symposium brought together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, regulators, researchers, development partners and farmers to discuss agricultural innovation, regulatory readiness and sustainable food production.
Dr Paul Mwambu, Commissioner for Crop Inspection and Certification at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said government has made progress in tackling counterfeit agricultural inputs but emphasised the need for tougher enforcement.
“We have made strides in fighting counterfeits in the country. The ministry is actively involved in crackdowns, but as an industry, we need more punitive action,” Mwambu said.
He proposed the deregistration of agro-input dealers found selling counterfeit products.
“Every two years, dealers receive certification for their premises and operations. Those caught dealing in counterfeits should be deregistered to send a clear message that endangering farmers carries serious consequences,” he added.
Agnes Mbabazi, Chairperson of CropLife Uganda, called for stronger collaboration and self-regulation within the agro-input industry.
“This is not an ordinary business; it is an ecosystem that feeds the nation. Contaminated or fake inputs could endanger Uganda’s 47 million people, which is why counterfeiting must be treated with urgency,” she said.
Mbabazi noted that CropLife Uganda is working closely with regulators and industry players to improve compliance and strengthen accountability.
“As an umbrella body, we recognise the importance of whistleblowing and continuous dialogue to align stakeholders towards a common goal. Our engagement with MAAIF has also helped clarify which products are banned and which are restricted,” she said.
Melissa Nyakwe, Head of Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda, said the bank’s support for the symposium reflects its long-standing commitment to Uganda’s economic transformation and agricultural development.
“Uganda is our home; we drive her growth,” Nyakwe said, noting that the bank’s efforts align with its Positive Impact Agenda, which focuses on financial inclusion, climate resilience, enterprise development, infrastructure and corporate social investment.
She said Stanbic is working to de-risk agriculture by expanding access to affordable, structured financing across the value chain—from multinational input importers and distributors to farmer cooperatives and smallholder producers.
“We are intentionally building climate-smart financing frameworks to help agribusinesses adapt, protect the environment and withstand seasonal shocks,” she said.
Nyakwe added that initiatives such as the Stanbic Business Incubator and Stanbic For Her are supporting youth- and women-led enterprises through financial literacy, mentorship and access to modern agricultural technologies.
She emphasised that addressing counterfeit inputs and regulatory bottlenecks requires coordinated action.
“Capital alone cannot solve the counterfeit crisis, nor can it fix regulatory challenges. We need strong policy direction, ethical stewardship and robust quality assurance systems across the agricultural ecosystem,” she said.
Stella Simiyu, Team Lead at CropLife Middle East (CLAME), called for more responsive regulatory systems to support innovation and improve farmer access to quality inputs.
“Farmers are central to our economies, food security and trade. We cannot achieve sustainability or attract agricultural investment unless regulatory systems enable timely, science-based and risk-proportionate decisions,” she said.
Simiyu noted that innovations such as biological crop protection products, improved seeds, drones, precision agriculture and artificial intelligence can only benefit farmers if supported by efficient and harmonised regulatory frameworks.
However, she pointed out that slow approval processes, fragmented regional coordination and limited technical capacity continue to delay access to critical technologies across Africa and the Middle East.
“We must accelerate harmonisation, invest in expertise and digital systems, strengthen science-based risk assessment and enhance anti-counterfeiting efforts. Regulatory readiness is not just a policy issue—it is a food security, trade and livelihoods priority,” she said.
Meanwhile, Given Mudenda, Managing Director for East and Southern Africa at Syngenta, warned of growing pressure on the region to increase food production due to rapid population growth.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is projected to grow from about 1.3 billion people today to nearly 2.6 billion by 2050, intensifying the demand for sustainable agricultural output.
“If our population is expected to double, then food production must increase significantly. Yet many countries in the region are already struggling to feed their populations,” Mudenda said.
He identified low productivity among smallholder farmers as a major challenge, noting that maize yields in many African countries remain below one tonne per hectare, compared to up to 12 tonnes achieved by commercial farmers.
Mudenda called for increased investment in farmer training, climate-resilient technologies, post-harvest management systems and access to quality inputs to boost productivity and reduce losses.
He also warned that international regulations, including European Union food safety standards, continue to present compliance and market access challenges for African exporters.
“The goal should be to strike a balance between ensuring food safety and sustainability while safeguarding food security, farmer livelihoods and economic growth,” he said.
Participants at the symposium agreed that strengthening regulatory systems, improving access to financing and eliminating counterfeit agricultural inputs are critical to building resilient agricultural systems capable of supporting Uganda’s growing population and safeguarding regional food security.
