By Our Reporter
The 2018 Agribusiness Expo has officially been launched.
Organised by the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) with support from Sida and aBi Trust, the two-day event will be held at Masindi Demonstration Centre – Kihonda from 22nd to 23rd June under the theme, “Promotion of Quality Standards in Agribusiness for Trade, More Trade and Better Trade”.
Addressing guests at the launch ceremony held on Tuesday at Kati Kati restaurant, Dr. Rose Omaria, the EAGC Country Director, revealed that this year’s expo will focus on the importance of upgrading and maintaining quality along the grain value chain.
“This year’s expo will aim at creating awareness of quality standards and technologies that support quality standards and aflatoxin control along the grain value chain whose adoption and application will promote ‘trade, more trade and better trade’ which will also ensure food security and safety.” She said.
“If quality is upheld, we will be able to compete favorably on the domestic, regional and international market. We will also then be able to support other subsidiary industries because so many industries such as poultry depend on the grain sector.” She added.
The launch was presided over by Hon. Francis Musa Ecweru, the Minister for Disaster Preparedness Management & Refugees who called upon local farmers to scale up their production while also upholding quality standards so that they can access bigger markets with in the region.
Now in its 8th edition, the Agribusiness Expo is an annual event that brings together public and private stakeholders in the grain industry giving them a platform for face-to-face interaction which is critical for doing business and sustaining trade flows. According to Dr. Rose Omaria, this year’s expo is expected to attract over 80,000 players in the Agribusiness sector including farmers, suppliers and policy makers.