Assistant Commissioner Animal Nutrition (MAAIF), Dr. Stephen Kajura, officially opened the five-day training on behalf of Director of Animal Resources (DAR). He thanked FAO, IGAD and the consultants for support given to Uganda in terms of capacity building of staff across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA); offering direct support in developing tools for generating the first ever National Animal Feed Inventory and Feed Balance Sheet. This included Logistical Support in terms of computers with accessories, a power point projector and mobile tablets for use in data collection under various MDAs. He reiterated that the Directorate of Animal Resources (MAAIF) is committed to champion the cause of the National Animal Feed Security System, hence it will be integrated into national programmes to attract national funding as well as funding from programmes funded by development partners, for sustainability. Thirty-four (34) participants attended the 16th – 20th May training from MAAIF, NALIRRI, UBOS, FAOU and IGAD. The proportion of females and males participants trained was 27% and 77% percent respectively. Recommendations include:
- The National Task Force (NTF) and some Zardi members to start drafting of the Zardi and national reports from May 23, 2022.
- The pillar I coordinator to follow up with Texas A&M to obtain the grazing biomass modeled from Predictive Livestock Early Warning System (PLEWS) to be integrated into the overall report.
- The national teams to complete the crop tools where there are data gaps in metabolizable energy (ME), dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP).
ICPALD expresses appreciation to FAO for financing this activity.
