KAMPALA - A new E-verification system that will help Ugandan farmers gain more profits by ensuring that the seeds and fertilizer they use are real was launched today at the Serena Hotel in Kampala.  With the new E-Tag system, developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to support trade, farmers will scratch a silver panel located on the product to reveal a code and then send that code to the number provided on the scratch panel using their mobile phone to verify the authenticity of the product. Because the mobile call is free, agro dealers selling genuine products are happy to verify the products for their customers.

In a country with over 80% of the population dependent on agriculture, the current abundance of sub-standard agro inputs on the Ugandan market is one of the major causes of economic loss experienced by farmers.

USAID’s Feed the Future Uganda Agricultural Inputs Activity, implemented by Tetratech, partnered with UNBS, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and agro input businesses and manufacturers to implement this latest innovation aimed at stemming that loss.

Today’s event is the start of a national campaign to support the e-verification system, encouraging  farmers to always scratch and verify the products to ensure they are buying quality inputs and to protect themselves and their communities from counterfeiters flooding the market with fake or otherwise adulterated products. The campaign will also encourage manufacturers of agro inputs to use the e-verification system to protect their brand against illegal competition and regain market share through increased customer loyalty and trust.

Feed the Future Uganda focuses on improving the lives of Ugandans in 38 districts with a total population of 14 million. Feed the Future is the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative.