Ambassador Steven A. Browning Remarks

Ambassador Steven A. Browning Remarks USAID/Dunavant Public Private Partnership Launch
Saturday, November 18, 2006, 3:00 to 5:00 PM

• Honorable Minister of Agriculture
• Honorable Regan Okumu of the Acholi Parliamentary Group, and other Honorable Members of Parliament
• Mr. Hans Muzoorah of the Cotton Development Organization
• Other distinguished colleagues from the Government of Uganda
• Mr. Ravi Patel, Mr. Thakore Patel and other partners of Dunavant Uganda Ltd.
• Ladies and Gentlemen

• I am honored to be here today to mark the beginning of a public-private partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development and Dunavant Uganda Ltd.  At its heart, this partnership is about helping farmers in northern Uganda. 

• I myself come from a part of the United States – the state of Texas – where agriculture – specifically cotton and longhorn cattle – has been one of the mainstays of the state’s development.  In Texas, we pride ourselves on our dedication to the land and on our hard work.  In the trips I have taken to northern Uganda, I have seen that the farmers there share this same deep attachment to their land, and want very much to resettle and cultivate it.

• The USAID-Dunavant partnership builds on proven best practices in development.  Over the years, we have learned that development assistance alone cannot help countries to achieve significantly higher growth rates.  Much of the economic success of countries such as Korea, Singapore and China stems from private sector investments – investments that performed well and benefited the people of those countries.

• But the private sector alone cannot ensure that all Ugandans benefit from economic growth.  Achieving prosperity will require that all development partners work together.

• Through this partnership, USAID and Dunavant will assist approximately 12,000 farmers in four northern Ugandan districts.  Farmers participate voluntarily.  They will receive assistance in preparing their land for cultivation, extension services for both food and cotton crop production, and assistance in selling their produce. 

• USAID has been supporting programs for farmers and producer organizations in Uganda for many years and has significantly improved incomes of participating farmers.  As with all USAID agricultural programs, farmers’ participation in the USAID-Dunavant partnership is strictly voluntary.  Landowners will retain full control of their land -- and land cultivated under this program will not be owned, leased or rented by Dunavant.

• We are aware that disputes can arise from disagreements about land rights and access to natural resources.  Refugees and internally displaced people returning home sometimes face difficulties in re-accessing their land and in reestablishing rights over land previously held.   

• I assure you that we take these concerns very seriously and are working closely with farmers, clan leaders, local officials and others to ensure that any land used or cultivated with the support of the USAID/Dunavant program has the approval of all stakeholders.

• Dunavant Uganda Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dunavant Enterprises Incorporated, a privately owned and operated American firm with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee.  Dunavant is one of the world’s largest cotton merchandising companies, handling in excess of 4 million bales of cotton per year. 

• Dunavant is a company that has consistently honored its social responsibilities.  The Dunavant subsidiary in Zambia has established an innovative partnership with USAID on HIV/AIDS in the workplace.  In 2004, Dunavant was a finalist for the United States Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence.  This award recognizes American firms around the world for engaging in exemplary business practices, adhering to transparency and international law, and assisting in local development. 
 
• The Dunavant partnership is one of many activities that my government is supporting in northern Uganda to help the victims of the long-running conflict with the Lord’s Resistance Army rebuild their lives and resettle their land.  We work closely with the government and people of Uganda in support of Uganda’s Emergency Humanitarian Action Plan and look forward to contributing to the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan.

• It is a challenge to rebuild an area so brutally affected by conflict. We know that northern Ugandan leaders, including many gathered here today, are pushing hard to see that their people are given the opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their children.  Farmers from this region, particularly, are eager once again to be self-sufficient and productive. 

• Dunavant has demonstrated leadership and commitment in making this investment in northern Uganda, and the U.S. government is pleased to partner with this company. 

• Our common objectives are to regenerate the economy of this region, and support the government of Uganda’s recovery goals.  Together we will achieve more than we could ever achieve alone.

• Thank you for your attention.