Uganda’s Parliament has passed legislation to merge the Cotton Development Organisation (CDO), Dairy Development Authority (DDA), and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
This consolidation is part of the government’s rationalisation agenda aimed at streamlining operations and reducing redundancy within the agricultural sector. The legislation, which includes amendments to the Cotton Development Organisation and Dairy Industry Bills, 2024, seeks to centralise agricultural management to improve efficiency and better utilise public resources.
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The mergers sparked debate within Parliament, with some legislators expressing concerns over the potential negative impacts on specific agricultural sectors. For example, Hoima City Woman Representative, Hon. Asinansi Nakato, argued that integrating CDO’s functions could dilute the focus and progress made in reviving Uganda’s cotton industry. Similarly, other legislators highlighted potential risks to the dairy sector, particularly around quality assurance and international accreditation processes managed by the DDA.
Despite these concerns, the government defended the mergers, emphasising the benefits of eliminating duplication and improving resource allocation. Agriculture Minister Hon. Frank Tumwebaze assured Parliament that the consolidation would streamline services while retaining key technical staff from the absorbed agencies. He explained that the move would support a unified strategy, ensuring agricultural services are more effectively delivered across Uganda, particularly at the grassroots level.
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The merger of NAADS into the Directorate of Extension under MAAIF was also a key focus, with the aim of eliminating overlapping roles between NAADS coordinators and agricultural extension officers. The government envisions a single-spine extension system that enhances service delivery and ensures that agricultural services are tailored to the specific needs of communities, focusing on their primary activities such as crop farming, livestock management, or fisheries.
This integration is seen as a critical step in the government’s broader strategy to rationalise public agencies and improve the agricultural sector’s efficiency.
