Farmers in Teso region have turned to mango farming business to supplement the traditional cattle grazing.
The scramble for the business is attributed to success stories of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) farmers and a recent deal from Britannia Industries to provide market for the fruits. “About 80 per cent of our people are into fruit farming, in the next five years, cattle farming may phase out” Bukedea District Chairperson Rev. Sam Ekabulin told Smart Money in an interview recently.
He said officials from Britania Industries had tested mango varieties, Valencia and Hamlin and local types which they think would be good for juice processing though scientists in Soroti recommend sweet Mediterranean. Naads Executive Director Silim Nahdy said the programme was a success in Teso having supplied about two million grafted seedlings to farmers. “A mature tree yields close to 300 kilogrammes of fruits and the cost ranges from Shs10, 000 to Shs30,000 per bag. This means that such a farmer is capable of earning close to Shs10 million” he said.
Mr Ben Otunu, the Soroti Resident District Commissioner said in the next five years, the region would be a fruit basket for Uganda. “People are embracing farming which is a good trend but have not abandoned cattle keeping completely because it is a traditional practice” he said. Mr Hasmukh Dawda, chairman House of Dawda - Britannia Industries’ mother company - confirmed the development saying they were also encouraging farmers to diversify into growing oranges.
“We want to increase the chain of fruit suppliers and we can guarantee them market at a good price,” Mr Dawda said. He said the company is to invest in its own demonstration gardens to ensure a steady supply of especially orange seedling to emerging farmer groups in the country. Most farmers in Teso currently produce Valencia, Washington Naval, Hamlin and local varieties of mangoes.
Source: monitor.co.ug
Publication date: 2/13/2009
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