By Herbert Musoke
The Government has invested over sh4b in promoting high-value crops to enable farmers tap into the growing global market demand.
Dr Samuel Mugasi, the NAADS executive director, said since August, last year, they have distributed planting materials worth sh4b for macadamia and Hass avocado to farmers countrywide.
Mugisa made the remarks during a media engagement at Piato Restaurant in Kampala recently.
Global revenue
Mugasi explained that Hass avocado global revenue is estimated to reach $17.9b (sh3 trillion) by 2025, macadamia to hit $1.75b this year and to continue growing at a rate of 9.3% annually from 2023 to 2030.
“For Uganda to have a share of this new gold mine, we have intensified the promotion of the most valuable crops for income generation, export promotion and foreign exchange earnings,” he said.
In Uganda, macadamia, Hass avocado and cashew nuts are emerging non-traditional cash crops with a big potential to contribute not only to the growth of the agricultural sector but increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Macadamia is a popular and expensive nut with an oil content of up to 67% while Hassavocado has over 14% oil.
“The Government is promoting and scaling up the production of these emerging high-value strategic commodities working with large-scale farmers with land holdings of 50 acres and above to promote massive production to meet both local and export demand,” he said.
Under this strategy, NAADS has partnered with eight large-scale producers of the two crops to enhance access to high-quality planting materials of macadamia and Hass avocado nurseries.
Through this strategy, small holder farmers access the relevant agricultural support services including extension, research and technology among others.
The eight nucleus farmers include Amafh Farm, Besmark Coffee Company Ltd, Njojo Farm, Royal Plants and Nurseries, Humuza Agro-processors and Exporters Group, Musubi Farm, Avocare and Kanyisa Farm.
The Government allocated funds for the promotion of partnerships with big commercial farmers / nucleus farmers to produce strategic commodities, including macadamia.
Mugasi said the beneficiary farmers have paid 30% of the cost of the seedlings while NAADS met the 70%.
One Hass avocado seedling costs between sh7,500 and sh8,500 while a macadamia seedling costs sh10,000 and sh11,000.
Other voices
Hesboan Cheruiyot, the production manager of Musubi Farm in Mayuge district explained that, a mature Hass avocado tree is expected to yield about 250 fruits in the first year of harvest and the smallest being of size 32 that can fetch the least price of sh100 at farm gate.
Patrick Joseph Okilan, a cashew farmer, said this crop is not only for those planning for retirement but also the youth looking for a profitable ventures.
