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The agriculture ministry on Friday declared that the official harvesting season for the vanilla bean will begin on January 5 and continue until April 5 next year.

This year's three-month harvest carries particular significance. Uganda, aiming to solidify its position as a leading vanilla producer, is prioritizing quality over quantity.

The agriculture ministry urged farmers to adhere to established harvesting guidelines and ensure only fully ripe beans are picked, with the commitment to quality promising higher prices and strengthening Uganda's reputation in the global spice market.

"By following proper procedures and adhering to the designated season, we can guarantee the best quality vanilla for international buyers, maximizing farmer profits and boosting Uganda's export earning potential," said agriculture state minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga.

Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Kyakulaga said ensuring quality of vanilla as well as harvesting it at the right time will help enhance the revenue from the prized crop.

“Uganda's vanilla market beckons with the promise of high returns and a chance to be part of a vibrant culinary story," he said.

"By understanding the market dynamics, and prioritizing sustainability, farmers can savor the sweet rewards of Uganda's vanilla bounty while contributing to the nation's economic growth and prosperity."

According to the agriculture ministry, Uganda has about 65,000 vanilla farmers spread out across 38 districts, including Mukono, Masaka and Mbarara.

Errant middlemen

Like any other agricultural venture, vanilla farming comes with its own set of challenges.

The agriculture ministry urged farmers to adhere to established harvesting guidelines and ensure only fully ripe beans are picked, with the commitment to quality promising higher prices and strengthening Uganda's reputation in the global spice market. (New Vision/Files)

Global fluctuation of vanilla prices, dependence on fickle weather patterns, and logistical hurdles can test even the most competent farmer with a taste for navigating the spice trade.

However, thorough market research, strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, and a flexible approach can help turn these challenges into stepping stones, according to minister Kyakulaga.

He told farmers not to cut down their vanilla plants, noting that prices will become better soon, adding that every ten years, the prices of vanilla fall.

Many vanilla farmers decry errant middlemen that cheat them by offering peanut prices for their crop.

“I have heard about mafias that exploit farmers even when the global market is okay. You find some middlemen cheating farmers in the villages, I have heard about this, and we are doing something about it,” said Kyakulaga.

To combat this issue, the farmers have been urged to do the harvesting at the appropriate time so that they are in the market within the legally allowed time.

Prossy Tumushabe from the Association of Vanilla Exporters in Uganda said they are educating farmers on pricing and quality.

She urged them not to believe the mafias who come with varying messages from what the agriculture ministry has announced.

In districts like Kagadi, Kasese and Kamwenge where the vanilla ripens faster, the agriculture state minister encouraged the farmers not to harvest the vanilla without an extension worker available to supervise the activity.

Police intervention

According to Kyakulaga, the Police will be involved in the supervision of vanilla harvesting to ensure that the right quality of crop is maintained.

Charles Ssebambulidde, a commissioner of Police and the commandant of agricultural unit, said that as a force, they are prepared to enforce the proper functioning of vanilla harvesting.

“We have the communication system and channel that we can use to enforce regular vanilla harvesting. The system of the Police is on the ground,” he said.

Registering vanilla farmers

The agriculture ministry has embarked on a process to register all the vanilla growers in the country.

“There is already a circular going to districts to register vanilla farmers, with the aim of tackling the challenges in the sector,” Kyakulaga told reporters.

Registration will help to follow up on the issues facing the farmers.

The main intervention though is to provide a conducive environment and provide a regulatory environment that can support the sector.

A profitable crop

According to Kyakulaga, a vanilla plant takes three years to the first harvest, and it requires an initial capital of sh8 million to establish one acre of a coffee-vanilla intercrop and sh2 million more for garden maintenance and pollination during the second year.

That means a farmer spends approximately sh10 million before the first harvest.
On the first harvest, a farmer harvests 3kg of beans per plant, from the 450 plants on an acre, which means an estimated 1,350kg of vanilla beans can be harvested.

If sold at the current lowest vanilla price of sh5,000 per kilo, a farmer earns around sh6.7 million per season from the sale of vanilla beans per season and if sold at the highest price as of last season of sh20,000 per kilo, a farmer gets sh27,000,000 per season.

Uganda produces between 250 and 300 tonnes of cured vanilla beans annually.
In 2021, the country exported 189.180 tons of cured vanilla valued at $21.55 million (about sh81 billion), according to Bank of Uganda statistics of 2023, placing her in the second position in Africa.

During stable market conditions, the vanilla market ranges from $100 (sh380,000) per kilo, with a forecasted revenue of $25 million (about sh94.1 billion) to $30 million (about sh113 billion).