Uganda adopts SMS to check fake farm inputs

REAL DEAL: Each year, Uganda loses $1.5 billion of revenue in counterfeit agricultural items, like seeds which experts say will be saved by the E-tag system. KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has tightened the fight against counterfeit and substandard agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, chemicals among other items flooding the Uganda market by launching the E-tag electronic verification system. “Proliferation of substandard agro inputs in the Ugandan market is very high at 30% across the country. This is not only causing economic loss, but also leading to destruction of livelihoods.
“Agriculture being the backbone of Uganda, we cannot afford to lose anymore,”  Dr. Ben Manyindo, the Chief Executive Officer, Uganda National Bureau of Standards said, at the launch of the E-tag system last week.