Teso cassava farmers upset by govt failure to build processing plant
AMURIA– The State Minister for Teso affairs Dr. Clement Ongalo Obote has reiterated his commitment to push government to fulfill its promise of establishing a cassava-processing factory in Teso Sub-region after farmers asked him why government has taken long to build the factory.
In July last year, while touring Augustine Agutu’s 500 acres of Cassava in Amuria district, the minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] Frank Tumwebaze, said that government was set to establish a cassava-processing factory to address market gaps by way of value addition.
Tumwebaze, who was at the time accompanied by the state minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa and Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru, said that cassava generally ranked top on the farming profile of Teso Sub-region, both as food and cash crop.
He noted at the time that his Ministry would work with Teso leaders and large-scale cassava growers to start process of establishing cassava-processing factory in the region.
However, since then the Ministry has gone silent on its promise to establish the cassava factory in the region, leaving farmers wondering whether government will be built the factory as promised by Minister Tumwebaze.
While meeting with Minister Ongalo, who was monitoring micro-projects in Amuria district this week, Augustine Akutu, the chairperson of cassava producers in Teso asked the minister to explain how plans to establish the much-needed factory are progressing.
“Last year, in his visit to my cassava farm, Minister Frank Tumwebaze told us that government will establish a cassava-processing factory in Amuria district, but the ministry has gone mute on the matter, what is happening?” He asked.
Akutu said they have done all their paperwork and presented their request to MAAIF but in vain.
According to Akutu, the establishment of the factory will absorb their excess produce.
He said Teso Sub-region is endowed with plenty of cassava, with at least each household estimated to have more than three gardens.
Akutu explained that due to the absence of a processing factory, cassava growers have resorted to selling dried cassava at Shs 800 per kilogramme.
He added that they want to tap into the supply chain of fine-produced cassava flour consumed by beer and confectionary plants.
“Cassava is not as tedious and expensive as it is for citrus, which has failed many farmers. Teso is ideal for a cassava processing plant because it has what it takes to have a constant supply,” he said.
It is estimated that Teso sub-region has more than five million gardens of cassava plantations.
In his response, Minister Ongalo said his Ministry would follow the issue of building the factory cassava-processing factory with the MAAIF Fisheries and the Office of the President.
Ongalo said that he is one of the proponents of the working to have a cassava- processing factory in Teso Sub-region.
The Minister explained that given the fact that cassava growing is not as tedious and expensive as it is for citrus. Teso is ideal for a cassava-processing plant because it has what it takes to have a constant supply of cassava.
“If the president gives a nod on the promised factory, he will compel those coming to establish the plant to set clear terms on matters of pricing for the tubers,” Ongalo said.
He assured farmers that his Ministry will help table issues that affect farmers in the region, adding that he will also oversee the establishment of model cassava farms to ensure that farmers have quality planting material.
The Minister was optimistic that if the cassava factory is established, it will improve farmers’ livelihoods.
https://thecooperator.news/totalenergies-to-donate-processing-plant-to-bulisa-cassava-farmers/
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