BY D SEBUNYA: Players in the fruits and vegetable value chain are bothered by the continued low supply of export-quality fruits and vegetables. Statistics show that in 2022, Uganda earned up to USD 100 million from fruits and vegetable exports. Irrespective of such a promising income, the country still grapples with low supplies of export-quality of these products.
Speaking at the Horticultural symposium at Gudie Leisure Farm in Najjera, Nicholas Atukwase, the production and projects manager at K.K. Fresh Fruits Exporters Ltd, mentions that it is very disturbing that there are many small-scale growers producing these crops, but the country has still failed to achieve the required quantity and quality, especially for the international market.
He says, “The market requires quantities and good quality products. Failure to improve on this, our products are going nowhere, as the buyer would opt for more reliable suppliers,” adding that this can only be achieved when the growers, especially the small-scale players, abide by the required quality assurance procedures direct from plant, harvesting, storage transportation through the entire process up to the market.
According to Atukwase, to meet the market expectations, alongside following the quality assurance procedures, in the entire process, farmers have a duty of finding ways to ensure crop production all year round by investing in irrigation, to cover up for the seasonal variations. “This is one of the strengths we have to build as a nation, to favorably compete,” he adds.
Furthermore, he warned that Uganda risks losing its markets if it doesn’t build a consistent supply capacity, “Whenever we don’t supply according to market demands, importing countries turn to other suppliers, risking our market share,” he warned.
Worth noting, irrespective of the shortcomings on the supply end of the chain, the country’s Horticultural industry has promising growth, as many players both local and international are picking interest in the sector, coming in with diverse capacities, strategies, and approaches to tackle the challenges therein.
The natural endowments like the arable land, favorable climate, have also been very big contributors to the improvement in this industry. The estimated 20 percent annual growth rate in flower exports has been attributed to these factors.
Dr. Gabriel Damulira, a principal research officer at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), appealed to farmers to always consider organic fruit production and minimal use of pesticides because most export markets detest such products due to the residue they might carry. “Proper training on pesticide use can prevent product interceptions,” he advised.
According to Damulira, the farmers should embrace the “egg-yolk technique” in pest and disease control, since it is very effective more than pesticides and carries no residues.
The symposium was organized under the theme “Unlocking the Potential of Horticulture in Uganda.” It was attended by all stakeholders in the horticulture value chain, farmers, exporters, industry facilitators, and promoters, policymakers, who deliberated on the progress of the sector and the opportunities therein.
From Pure Grow Africa, Juuko Kimbugwe, the managing director, emboldened the formalization of business enterprises among the horticulture value chain players, consider business legalities, strategic planning, as well as social groupings to ensure growth.
Prof. Gudula Nayiga Basazza, the managing director, and founder of Gudie Leisure Farm, says it’s important to have collaboration among all the value chain players, especially the exporters and the farmers, specifically to deliberate on the market demands for the good of the industry and the national economy.