USAID launches innovation prize to commercialize agricultural research
by TIMOTHY NSUBUGA · The ObserverWilliam Popp, the US ambassador to Uganda, has said that USAID’s new innovation prize will commercialize agricultural research in 2025.
This was at the event to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of USAID in Uganda at Kampala Serena hotel. This development comes as the United States continues to build on the longstanding partnerships within Uganda since 1962. Some of these include Makerere University and the National Agricultural Research Organization (Naro) in promoting agricultural research.
“For decades, we have supported cutting-edge agricultural innovations and technologies from crop varieties to disease reduction. However, we have observed a gap in moving great ideas to markets. Ultimately, we want to see research move off the shelf and into the hands of end users like farmers and the private sector, because we believe that promoting an innovative ecosystem that enhances commercialization of agriculture research products will increase economic opportunities and incomes at the household level,” Popp stated.
Popp highlighted that the launch of the competition has set prizes for the best ideas that link research to markets, which includes harnessing digital tools that can help improve yields. Among the attendees was Daniele Nyirandutiye, the mission director for USAID/Uganda, and key government officials such as Health minister Jane Ruth Aceng, Local Government minister Raphael Magyezi and Betty Amongi Akena, the minister of Gender.
Looking at the history in regards to the formation of USAID, Nyirandutiye noted that the organization was formed on November 3, 1961, by the then President John F. Kennedy who established the United States Agency for International Development through the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act.
“The newly-established agency consolidated disparate foreign assistance agencies under one umbrella with the objective of driving long-term economic and social development assistance efforts. This was in response to a changing world that included a wave of newly independent countries in Africa.
For the United States, President Kennedy posited that it was our moral, economic, and political obligation as good neighbour but as a nation that had also benefited from the generosity from abroad in building our own economic growth. It was also in recognition of the interdependence of nations. The new agency was tasked to partner with countries to achieve economic growth and democratic and political stability.” she noted.
Nyirandutiye noted that USAID has had a hand in the improvement of Uganda’s health sector through partnerships with government, local leaders and organisations to address some of the country’s most profound health challenges.
“One such organization is the Palliative Care Association of Uganda. USAID was one of its early funders in an effort to expand access to medication for HIV/Aids patients. While our support helped the organization grow, it was the association that did the important work of advocating for incorporating palliative care into HIV/Aids care and treatment. Today, the organization provides services in over 300 health facilities and has secured funding from other donors.” she added.