The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Trade Mark Africa (TMA), is working to secure accreditation to offer Global Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification.

This move is aimed at reducing the high costs associated with certification and improving Uganda’s access to international markets.

Global GAP is a widely recognized farm assurance program that ensures farms meet international standards for food safety, quality, and sustainability.

Typically, obtaining this certification involves high costs, ranging between USD 10,000 and USD 25,000 per farm, due to the need for foreign auditors.

However, once UNBS acquires the certification registration, the cost of obtaining global GAP certification will drop significantly to under USD 4,000, enabling more Ugandan farmers and exporters to meet global standards.

Currently, fewer than 10 Ugandan companies hold valid global GAP certifications, but this number is expected to rise with the reduction in certification costs.

“Once registration is secured, many Ugandan farmers will be able to access premium markets in Europe and North America,” said Sylvia Kirabo, UNBS spokesperson.

“This intervention will significantly enhance Uganda’s horticultural export potential and ensure greater competitiveness of Uganda’s fresh produce on the global market.”

The initiative aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV, which emphasise the importance of promoting exports and increasing the country’s agricultural capacity.

The UNBS, MAAIF, and TMA are also conducting capacity-building programs to educate farmers about the Global GAP standards, ensuring they can implement the necessary practices for certification.

Access to affordable certification will reduce the reliance on imported certification services and improve the global marketability of Uganda’s fresh produce.”

The Global G.A.P certification covers various sectors, including agriculture, floriculture, livestock, aquaculture, and compound feed.

“This certification scheme ensures food safety, worker health and safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection,” said Kirabo.

In addition, UNBS is conducting awareness campaigns in four regions of Uganda Lira, Mbarara, Masaka, and Mbale to inform producers and exporters of the benefits of Global G.A.P certification.

This effort will help Uganda’s farmers meet international standards while boosting the nation’s GDP, with a July 2023 ISO study indicating that standardization contributes 23.7% of Uganda’s GDP annually.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.