Districts to exhibit NAADS Programme
on value addition promotion

The promotion of value addition for agricultural produce in the country is one way sought by Government to help farmers enhance their income as well as increase use of the products.

The National Advisory Agricultural Services (NAADS) in its move to increase farmers’ incomes has provided funds to allow establishment of agro processing plants for various farm products.

A total of four districts will from July 20th, 2009, join the rest of farmers countrywide to showcase the various technologies applied in promotion of value addition on agricultural produce. These are Gulu, Masaka, Mukono and Kumi.

The Uganda National Farmers’ Federation this year is holding the National Agricultural and Trade Show in Jinja. The 17th source of the Nile show will run from July 20th to 26th focusing on the theme ‘Promoting Value Addition for Poverty Eradication’.

Ms Janet Asege, District NAADS coordinator Kumi says their major area of focus in value addition is citrus fruits, apiary (Bee keeping) and groundnuts.

“What we have done is training of farmers in sorting fruits for them to sell according to size. This has helped them to select quality produce for the market and it earns them premium prices,” says Ms Asege, the NAADS Coordinator Kumi District.

“For bee keeping, we have introduced modern ways of harvesting by using smokers other than ordinary burning. This helps farmers get quality clean honey,” says Ms Asege. She adds, “In terms of honey processing, we have procured a honey extractor and pressing machine to help squeeze honey from the cobs.” Ms Asege says the processing is done in two Sub Counties of Kobuin and Ongino.

“We also have a number of groundnuts shelling machines and we (NAADS) have also purchased motorized machines.

This would ease and increase grinding of quality ground nuts for the market,” she added.

For Masaka District, Mr Richard Ssebaduka says they have invested in processing of milk and coffee. “On the side of milk marketing, we have constructed a milk cooling machine in partnership with Masaka Dairies for Lwabenge Sub Counties. This would facilitate marketing there by reducing losses,” says Mr Ssebaduka.

Mr Ssebaduka says the milk plants help farmers to save over 3000 litres of extra milk that would be spoiled, helping over 300 farmers.

“We have also formed a higher level farmers’ organization for coffee marketing and quality improvement. Mr Ssebaduka says NAADS has also gone ahead to sensitise on coffee quality. Gulu District farmers are also set to showcase the various ways in which honey and cassava can be improved to attract improved earnings for the farmers.

Mr Alex Otenya Oloya the Coordinator of NAADS programmes in the district says honey processing and packaging has increased the demand and hence rising prices on the market.

“We started honey processing on a small scale and we are working with a private firm, Tonado- Gulu to buy harvested honey. We have also trained farmers on modern harvesting methods as well as providing harvesting gears,” says Mr Oloya.

He also says that farmers in Patiko Sub County are processing cassava to make quality food equivalent to Garhi (Nigerian food) to provide better nutrient.

“We have procured motorized cassava machines that chop into small pieces for easy drying without fermentation. In the process we have improved the cassava food”, he says.

Mr Oloya says that they have also invested in providing better storage facilities to promote quality agricultural produce. In October 2007, the NAADS programme was reviewed by government and its mandate increased to include primary processing.

The programme is also contributing to prosperity for all through enhancing farming as a business. NAADS programme evaluation carried out in 2008 revealed that NAADS has caused impact in the districts where it was implemented.