Government through the National Agricultural Advisory services (NAADS) has intervened to avert a looming oil shortage by implementing an emergency intervention in the production of Vegetable oil to address the current shortage of vegetable oil in the market.
The intervention implemented NAADS in the 2022/23 FY will cost UGX: 9 billion shillings that will cater for the provision of improved seeds of sunflower and soya bean.
According to Dr Charles Abel the crop development officer at National Agricultural Advisory services (NAADS), Uganda holds several advantages for scaling up its production of vegetable oil with favorable agro-climatic conditions for cultivation of oil crops; available labor force; and a conducive business environment.
He says this also presents an opportunity for processors to work at full capacity due to increasing demand for vegetable oil locally and in the region; and increasing demand for the cake/meal for animal feeds because of the rapidly expanding livestock and fish industry
The vegetable Oil industry is a key strategic sector for government and private sector in
eradicating poverty and creating employment for the people of Uganda especially in the greater.
Northern part of the country, mainly in Lango, and Acholi sub regions.
The sector is the leading revenue earner for the people of northern Uganda and a major contributor to national tax revenues.
