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Govt urged to train more extension workers to boost Hass Avocado production
What you need to know:
- Despite these challenges, the government is promoting the growing of Hass Avocado, citing its potential to increase revenue for Ugandans both locally and internationally.
Uganda's Hass Avocado farmers are facing a major challenge: a shortage of agronomists.
According to Richard Welishe, Coordinator of the National Avocado Federation of Uganda and a Hass Avocado farmer, the limited number of agronomists in the country has forced many farmers to hire labor from Kenya, which is costly.
"Because Hass Avocado is a new crop, we have very few Ugandans who have expertise in it, including our own extension workers and many farmers have resorted to getting agronomist from Kenya which is very costly," Welishe said.
Welishe is calling on the government to train extension workers in different sub-counties to provide assistance to farmers in Hass Avocado production.
This call was echoed by Rtd Lt. Geofrey Kiviiri Geofrey, the Gomba Chairman LCV, who emphasized the need to uplift the government's ban on civil service recruitment, citing understaffing in the production department.
Despite these challenges, the government is promoting the growing of Hass Avocado, citing its potential to increase revenue for Ugandans both locally and internationally. Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Mr. Frank Tumwebaze, encouraged Ugandans to embrace Hass Avocado growing business, citing the increasing demand in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.¹
Uganda has the potential to become a leading exporter of Hass Avocado, with the executive Director of Naads, Mr. Samuel Mugasi, noting that the country needs to diversify from relying on traditional cash crops and add Hass avocado as a cash crop.
The chairperson of the National Avocado Federation of Uganda, Mr David Muhumuza, also emphasized the importance of adopting Hass Avocado, citing the existence of a ready market for the crop.
He noted that Uganda is lagging behind in the fruit and vegetable industry, earning only $200,000 million from the sector, compared to Kenya's $3 billion and Tanzania's $1 billion.
With the government's support and the existence of a ready market, Uganda's Hass Avocado farmers are poised to tap into this lucrative market and improve their livelihoods.
