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The lack of markets and low prices for agricultural products remains a stumbling block for the rebranded Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu (OBR) institution in realising the main objectives of its pillar of social-economic transformation.

Dealing mainly in coffee, cotton, maize, and avocado, among other crops, most of the OBR subjects like other Ugandan citizens entirely depend on agriculture as their main source of income and in most cases face the same challenges hence keeping them in bounds of poverty.

To that effect, a delegation from the OBR institution spearheaded by Queen Agnes Ithungu Asimawe on March 22, 2024, visited Njojo Agro-based Industries Uganda Ltd in Nyaruzigati village, Kyarusozi sub-county, Kyenjojo district to seek technical advice on how to overcome most of the challenges faced while dealing in agricultural products.

Ithungu revealed how most people in Kasese grow a lot of avocados among other crops, harvest them in large quantities then take them to various markets with the hope of selling and getting money only to be disappointed by the lack of market or low prices offered by prospective buyers.

“Because they can’t carry the avocados back home, they just leave them to rot in the markets,” Agnes said.

She also acknowledged that since her return to the kingdom after close to seven years, she has been puzzled over how she will improve the agricultural sector of her subjects and the entire Rwenzori region which has dwindled because of the challenges facing agricultural products over the years adding that the visit at Njojo agro-based industries has given her a starting point.

"Now that we have seen and acquired the knowledge, we are going to tell our people," Anges said.

Mbambu Naume, who represented the OBR prime minister, expressed gratitude for the hass avocado drafting knowledge acquired and predicted that in case their subjects embark on dealing in Hass avocado which requires grafting with the local varieties they already have, they will tap into their high demand hence high prices.

Gen Rusoke speaks out

Maj. Gen. (rtd) Robert Rusoke, the proprietor Njojo Agro-based Industries Uganda Ltd, said the long-lasting solution to the challenges of agricultural products fetching low prices is value addition.

"Most people can deal and yield in agricultural products but what matters most is the value you add to the products you are dealing in," Rusoke said.

Situated on 2,000 acres in a serene rural setting mainly dealing in Hass avocado, maize, and beans, the farm is one of the country's agro-based Industries aiding the Government in implementing its programmes like NAADs.

Angel Rusoke, the director of the entity, their operations are in line with the Third National Development Plan, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto, and more comprehensively the Paris Development Model (PDM), a framework that will guide government interventions to address rural poverty.

Benefits of value addition

Douglas Mutungi, the manager maize mills at Njojo Agro-based Industries, said every hour, they produce a tonne of maize flour hence ensuring a mega supply of quality maize flour to the neighboring communities and the country at large.

Mercie Nyamura, the Administrator Njojo Agro-based Industries disclosed that Hass avocado is a unique fruit with the potential to produce quality oil but also has a long shelf life (close to three weeks).