Soroti factory installs new fruit processing lines, to manufacture fertilisers

SOROTI - Soroti city-based fruit processing factory has installed additional processing lines, New Vision Online has learnt.

The development, according to the factory's management, has eliminated the challenge of using one processing line for both oranges and mangoes.

The new lines are part of the broader efforts by new management to expand the factory, according to Jorem Opian Obicho, a board member representing the farmers' umbrella group, Teso Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative Union (TEFCU).

The revelations were made during Iteso paramount chief Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot's visit to the factory on July 3, 2023. This was Emolot's first official visit to the factory since Chimaki Agro Ltd took over its management on behalf of the Government.

Opian said since the new company took over operations in June 2025, five more acres of land have been acquired for expanding the facility.

Furthermore, the new management plans to provide training for farmers on disease and pest control. They are also in the process of procuring an automated packaging machine, which is expected to be operational within a month.

The company has engaged with the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organisation (SOCADIDO) to conduct a count of all the orange and mango trees across over 3,000 villages in the Teso sub-region.

Opian explained that the factory will soon start producing fertilisers and animal feeds from the residues, and the new management aims to revitalise primary co-operative societies by training their staff to ensure quality fruits are supplied to the factory.

He revealed that the management is planning to take selected farmers from Teso on a benchmarking study tour abroad, adding that the factory has started using locally grown mangoes since the beginning of this year.

Additionally, it was noted that the facility has commenced exporting orange concentrates and mango pulp to countries like Tanzania after receiving international certification.

"Maintenance of the machines has improved, a borehole has been repaired, and the electricity safety systems have been fixed to manage power usage. The company is also continuing to engage with farmers about quality fruit production," Opian said.

He reported that fruit purchases have increased to approximately 1.5 million kilogrammes for this season, with projections reaching three million in the upcoming first season.

Moreover, payments to farmers are now more prompt compared to the previous arrangements.

The factory is also processing tamarind juice, and farmers have been encouraged to diversify their crops by growing pineapples and passion fruits, among others, which will also be processed.

Furthermore, plans are in place to dry some fruits for export and to produce germ for making bread.

Soroti Processing fruit factory Director, Abera Desta explains to the Iteso Paramount Chief how the factory works on Thursday. (Credit: Delux Emmy Alomu) 

Government financing

Although government financing for the factory has risen to about 160 million shillings, up from less than 100 million shillings previously, Opian urged the Emorimor to advocate for additional funding to sustain the facility.

He said the company in lobbying the Government to address disease control issues, as approximately 40 per cent of the fruits rot due to these challenges in Teso.

"Just as the government is supporting coffee cultivation in other parts of the country, we seek similar support regarding finances and pesticides for oranges and mangoes to enhance the country’s revenue," Opian stated.

Robert Ogala, a farmer trainer from Serere district, asked the Emorimor to advocate for the Government to provide small irrigation systems for fruit farmers.

He noted that many farmers lose trees during the dry season, even though fruit is currently a key cash crop after cotton was abolished.

Ogala also suggested that the Emorimor makes it mandatory for people to drink Teju juice at all public functions to promote the product.

He encouraged farmers to visit each other to gain more knowledge and improve their ability to produce fruit to supply local factories.

NRM Entrepreneurship League in Teso spokesperson John Omugur said it was important to combat diseases and pests, as some farmers have resorted to cutting down trees as a result.

Chimaki Agro Ltd director Azeb Mesfin Haile expressed her commitment to transforming the factory, with plans to expand it threefold.

Mesfin stated that they will maintain the Teju brand across all products, including Teju water, Teju passion fruit juice, Teju tamarind, and Teju ginger.

She urged people to promote Teju products by consuming them more frequently, emphasising her desire for a complete transformation of the factory.

“Be proud of your product. Drink your product,” Azeb said.

According to her, President Yoweri Museveni is passionate about the factory and is aware of challenges being faced, including pests and fungal issues, which he will address at an appropriate time, depending on the availability of resources.

Emorimor Emolot said his office plans to encourage farmers to cultivate more fruit trees to support the facility while seeking full government support to operate the factory effectively.

He praised the new management for significantly expanding the factory by improving payment methods for fruit farmers and increasing the quantity of fruit purchased by the factory.

Emolot highlighted the dire poverty in the region but expressed gratitude to the new management for restoring hope to the farmers.

“This factory has brought hope for wealth creation and improvement in the lives of the people. This means there is now more money circulating among farmers in Teso,” he stated.

Representatives of farmers and members of the NRM Entrepreneurship League in Teso were present at the event.

In 2014, the President directed the construction of a fruit factory, which was officially commissioned in April 2019.

The government owns 80 per cent of the factory's shares through the Uganda Development Cooperation (UDC), while farmers, through their union TEFCU, own the remaining 20 per cent.

The Teso subregion is the leading producer of citrus fruits in Uganda. The factory was established to provide a market for oranges and mangoes and to address the issue of post-harvest losses.

With the capacity to process six metric tonnes of fruit per hour, it converts purchased fruits into puree, concentrate, and natural ready-to-drink juice, branded as "Teju Juice" (TEJU).

Situated in Arapai Industrial Park within Soroti City East Division, the factory is located approximately 299 kilometres northeast of Kampala city.