KAMPALA, UGANDA – In a powerful declaration that could redefine Africa’s agricultural landscape, Uganda’s Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has hailed the humble potato and its sweeter cousin as “strategic assets” in the fight against climate change, malnutrition, and rural poverty. His remarks, delivered at the opening of the 13th African Potato Association (APA) Conference in Kampala this week, underscore a continent-wide push to leverage these versatile tubers for a more food-secure future.
The prestigious gathering, underway at the opulent Speke Resort Munyonyo from Monday, May 26, to Friday, May 30, 2025, has drawn over 300 delegates from across Africa – including strong contingents from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria – alongside international experts from the USA, UK, and Netherlands. Their collective focus? “Fostering Climate-Smart Cropping Systems for Sustainable Potato and Sweet Potato Value Chains.”
Minister Tumwebaze championed the pivotal role of research in unlocking the full potential of these crops. He lauded Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), with its extensive network of 16 public institutions, for its groundbreaking work in developing improved seed varieties, bolstering disease resistance, and pioneering climate-smart farming practices. As evidence of Uganda’s progress, he pointed to the sweet potato’s meteoric rise to become the country’s third most important crop, a testament to robust research foundations and high production capacity.
“Potato and sweet potato are not just food crops; they are strategic assets in achieving climate resilience, nutrition, and rural transformation,” Tumwebaze asserted, highlighting their critical role in addressing nutritional deficiencies and enhancing community livelihoods across the continent. He also stressed the imperative of boosting value addition, slashing post-harvest losses, and forging stronger market linkages, particularly in response to the burgeoning urban appetite for processed products like crisps and chips.
Dr. Yona Baguma, Director General of NARO and President of the African Potato Association, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, emphasizing Uganda’s leadership in agricultural innovation. “Uganda has developed improved potato varieties, including purple-fleshed and beta-carotene-rich types that are contributing to the fight against Vitamin A deficiency across Africa,” Dr. Baguma proudly stated. He added a fervent plea for sustained investment in agricultural research, declaring: “The generations ahead need sustainable sources of nutrition and protein for both humans and animals. To achieve this, we must secure dedicated and consistent funding for agricultural research.”
More than a mere scientific forum, Dr. Baguma described the conference as a “commitment to building a future where African countries are global leaders in sustainable agriculture.”
The conference has also captivated attendees with a vibrant exhibition pavilion, where institutions, innovators, and private sector players are showcasing a dazzling array of cutting-edge solutions. From advanced seed systems and mechanisation tools to ingenious post-harvest technologies and climate-smart agricultural techniques, these innovations are poised to invigorate food systems, uplift rural communities, and catalyse agro-industrial growth throughout the continent.
Dr. Kassim Sadik, Deputy Director General for Agricultural Technology Promotion at NARO, stressed the urgent need for greater private sector engagement in agricultural science, a sentiment amplified by Joyce Maru, Regional Director at the International Potato Center (CIP). Maru commended the Ugandan government’s robust support for science-led development and advocated for a deeper integration of research with market-driven solutions.
Organised by NARO in collaboration with the African Potato Association (APA), and generously supported by leading institutions including the International Potato Center (CIP), this pivotal conference promises to lay the groundwork for a more resilient, nutritious, and prosperous future for Africa, all thanks to the humble potato.
