Government to set up storage facilities for commodities countrywide
A grain storage facility under construction in Mubende. Uganda supplies maize grain to Kenya and Dar es salam but this maize is often transported unprocessed. PHOTO BY JONATHAN ADENGO
What you need to know:
Benefit of facilities. Farmers will be able to dry, sort and store their produce without worrying about them getting damaged.
MUBENDE. Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde has said government is going to construct storage facilities for commodities across the country to improve farmers’ fortunes.
The storage facilities, which are aimed at improving post-harvest handling, will help farmers improve on the quality of their produce, giving them a chance to compete on the world market.
She made the remarks while laying the foundation stone for the construction of a 5,000 metric-tonne storage facility in Mubende District- a grain producing hub- last week.
Among the facilities that will be constructed at the factories of Aponye Uganda Ltd and Askar General Enterprises is a lab for testing the maize grain, a weight bridge for trucks, a fine-grading facility and also silos to store the maize.
“The government plans to construct two storage facilities with a capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes each to be able to supply the demand in the market,” she said.
These will help farmers to grade their grain. Currently, Uganda supplies maize grain to Kenya and Dar es salam but this maize is often transported unprocessed, robbing the country of additional revenue.
With the storage facilities in place, farmers willcan add value to the maize before it is exported.
Mr Chris Kaijuka, the chairperson of the Uganda Grain council, said they have identified maize producing areas across the country where they will set up storage facilities and asked for government to support.
“The grain industry has been very informal in our country and as a result they have been ripped off by neighbours who come and buy our grain from the gardens,” he noted.-
Ms Kyambadde said although grain production is high, post-harvest handling is very poor, affecting farmers’ ability to add value to their produce and fetch better prices at the global market.
Grain farmers’ say
His view. Mr Apollo Nyegamehe, the founder of Aponye Uganda limited one of the major players in the grain sector in the country since 1989, said the facilities will also improve on farming in the local communities.
