By Carol Nakibuule
A delegation of agricultural officers, led by Efrem Kiflu, the director of administration and finance at Eritrea's Ministry of Agriculture, is in Uganda for a benchmarking visit.
The delegation seeks to explore various innovations and key milestones achieved by the Ugandan government in ensuring food security within Uganda and the region.
The group is being hosted by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NALIRRI).
They aim to gather valuable experiences that can be implemented in Eritrea, a sister and friendly nation to Uganda.
Eritrea faces significant food production challenges. Even in good years, the country produces only a limited percentage of its national food requirements.
These challenges arise from poor rainfall, which reduces food production, and the impact of increased global prices that have adversely affected vulnerable populations.
According to Prof Samuel Majalija, the director of research at NALIRRI, Uganda is sharing existing innovations developed by Ugandan scientists.
These include methods to increase food output through soil fertility improvement and embryo multiplication, which can significantly increase livestock populations both locally and abroad.
Mr Kiflu commended Uganda for its advanced research, particularly in livestock, and assured that Eritrea would apply the knowledge gained from NARO to improve its agricultural sector.