Kikuube district gives farmers value addition equipment
KIKUUBE, October 11, 2023 – Over 12 farmer groups engaged in horticulture in Kikuube district have a reason to smile after they received machines for value addition.
The groups received solar dryers, vacuum sealers, and pedal sealers worth Shs 22 million to help them dry their vegetables such as cabbage, and dodo among others.
Speaking during the handover of the machines on Friday, Peter Banura, the Kikuube district chairperson urged farmers in the district to embrace value addition if they are to earn more income from agriculture.
He also said government through the Agriculture Cluster Development Project [ACDP] supports organised farmers with maize, millet, and cassava processing machines.
He noted that the support aims at helping farmers to earn more money from agriculture compared to selling unprocessed produce to middlemen and other buyers.
Banura said without value addition to agricultural products, farmers in Kikuube district and Uganda at large will remain encircled by abject poverty.
Arthur Turyatunga, a member of Kikuube Mentorship Vegetables Farmers’ Group commended Kikuube district production department for supporting the farmers. His group is engaged in cabbage growing and fruits and been selling the products unprocessed.
He noted that sun dryers, will help them to add value to the fruits and vegetables and earn good money.
Jane Birungi, a member of Kamusunsi Mentorship Vegetables Farmers’ Group said the solar dryers will help to do away with losses they have been suffering due to rotting of fruits.
However she called on the district to get the farmers market for their produce so that they are encouraged to produce on the large scale.
Samuel Kusiima Kahesi, the Kikuube District Principal Agricultural Officer advised the farmers to use the acquired machines properly.
He noted that the initiative of offering of the machines for value addition to the farmers is part of the agro-industrialisation programme highlighted in the third phase of the National Development Plan [NDP III], which expected to create jobs and wealth.
https://thecooperator.news/kikuube-dairy-farmers-decry-low-milk-prices/
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