The Ambassador’s proclamation took place in conjunction with the launch of Season 3 of N’Gen, an acclaimed Pan-African STEM-based television series designed to inspire and educate children across the continent.
The U.S. Government’s steadfast support for Ugandan agriculture has been demonstrated through several pivotal initiatives, with the Vines program and the Farmer-to-Farmer program at the forefront. These initiatives have played a crucial role in facilitating growth and innovation within Uganda’s vibrant agricultural landscape.
Ambassador Popp’s address took place against the picturesque backdrop of the Enimiro Products Uganda campus, a hub of activity in Kayunga district. The facility, specializing in vanilla processing and export, stands as a beacon of progress in the region.
Highlighting the imperative of engaging Uganda’s dynamic youth population in this agricultural renaissance, Ambassador Popp shed light on programs like the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program. This initiative creates opportunities for U.S. citizens to lend their expertise to countries like Uganda, aiding in the establishment of school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs.
“ This program was created by the US NGO called Peripheral Vision International (PVI) in order to create away and connect particularly young people with information about science, technology and in this specific case about agriculture,” he said.
A landmark collaboration between the Catholic Relief Society and the U.S. Government has yielded substantial results. Enimiro Products Uganda, the epicenter of this venture, now processes a diverse array of produce, including vanilla, jackfruit, and pineapples, destined for the lucrative U.S. market. Notably, this enterprise has become a cornerstone of employment for an impressive 15,000 young individuals, highlighting the transformative potential of such collaborative endeavors.
Ambassador Popp’s resounding endorsement not only celebrates the achievements of this joint project but also heralds a promising future for Ugandan agriculture. With continued support and innovation, the agricultural sector is poised to flourish, ultimately enriching the lives of countless Ugandans and strengthening the ties between the United States and this vibrant East African nation. The launch of N’Gen Season 3 serves as a testament to the boundless potential that collaboration and education hold for the future of Uganda and the wider Pan-African community.