Oil palm farmers ask for higher price

Farmers selecting ripe oil palms from a kernel. PHOTO BY ISSA ALIGA

More than 100 oil palm smallholder farmers in Kalangala District have requested Oil Palm Uganda Ltd, a subsidiary of Bidco, to increase the price offered per kilogramme of fresh palm fruits from Shs300 to Shs1,000.
Speaking during a meeting held in Kalangala Town Council, the farmers from Betta and Bumangi villages complained about the pricing formula, which fixed the price at Shs300 per kilogramme yet they spend more money on inputs such as purchasing fertilisers and paying for labour in their plantations.

Better prices
Lawrence Mukasa, one of the farmers, said that since 2011, they invested a significant amount of money in growing oil palm yet the returns are low. Therefore, they want the company to increase the price from the current Shs300, which would enable them to pay their workers, purchase farm inputs and also be able to cater for their family needs.
However, David Balilonda, the Kalangala District production and marketing officer, pointed out that the price formula was agreed upon with Bidco Company when the project begun in 2006.
But he advised that the farmers to improve the quality of their produce and managing their plantations well to get high pay.
Since the oil palm project started, a total of 1,800 smallholder farmers have planted oil palm over an area of 4,300 hectares.