International organisations are encouraging governments to exploit their irrigation potential, which has enabled the world’s most populous nations like China and India to produce more cereals per hectare than East Africa.

By 2025, the region will be hosting an extra 40.8 million people, meaning the five countries will be required to produce more food.

Uganda is already among the 10 countries in Africa with the fastest growing populations, with a fertility rate of 6.2 children per woman.