Modern abattoir set to boost small scale farmers
To increase production of meat, particularly beef in Uganda, small scale producers should be involved, Norwegian investors have said.
For a long time, small scale livestock producers have been neglected, yet they contribute a big chunk of the meat produced and sold locally and internationally.
Beef production in Uganda is estimated at an average of 160,000 metric tonnes annually, giving total meat consumption per capita as 11 kilogrammes annually, per person in Uganda— a quantity that is much lower than the recommended 40 Kilogrammes by the World Health standard.
For that, a Norwegian supported organisation—Uganda Meat Producers Cooperative Union Ltd(UMPCUL), an umbrella organisation for small scale meat producers, is yet to create unions among small scale producers to scale up production in a quest to increase Uganda’s exports.
“Cooperatives are the best option for the beef industry in Uganda because through such small groups, information can easily be disseminated and attaining animals from farmers becomes an easy job,” Ms Tracy Hathorn the Chief Executive Officer UMPCUL said.
She says the union has over 33 different primary cooperatives in the districts of Luwero, Nakaseke, Mbarara and Masaka. These have brought together 1,100 farmers who are offered information regarding pests and disease control, artificial insemination, proper hygiene of livestock as well as market for their produce.
“These cooperatives gather at least 400 animals in two weeks from the members in different locations, which we collect and pay them 50 per cent upfront. We then transport them and look for the market and after selling them off, we pay the remaining 50 per cent,” Ms Hathorn explained.
To better the proceeds of these farmers further and increase meat production in the country, UMPCUL in conjunction with the Norwegian investors, through the government of Uganda hopes to put in place a modern abattoir worth $10m (Shs2.5b).
The move has been in the offing for four years now, but its delayed implementation has been blamed on delays in acquisition of land.
“We have already secured equipment in Norway worth 250,000 dollars but we are still awaiting 12 acres of land. The earlier we get the land, the better, for it will not take us more than two years to have the abattoir complete,” the UMPCUL CEO explained.
In 2007, the ministry of Agriculture announced that they were to set up a modern abattoir in Nakaseke worth $10m with the help of the Norwegian Government through a Norwegian meat company Norture BA as part of the effort to promote export of high quality animal products in the region and overseas markets.
It was reported that the abattoir would have satellite branches in the east, west and northern regions. But attempts to reach Agriculture Minister Bright Rwamirama , for comment were futile as he was out of the country.
Beef production in Uganda: Beef production in Uganda is estimated at an average of 160,000 metric tons annually. According to a 2008 census by UNBS, Uganda has about 13 million heads of cattle, a small number to cater for the local and international market
