_____________

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held discussions with Prof. Kim Yong Myong, an investor from Japan.

Prof. Kim is the owner of Ac-Planta, a company interested in introducing acetic acid fertilizers in Uganda, states a release from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU).

The company, based in Tokyo Japan produces acetic acid fertilisers through skeepon technology, a product that promotes high yields in plants and also helps them in resisting diseases as well as drought.

During the meeting at State House –Entebbe on Tuesday (April 23) President Museveni welcomed the investor to Uganda and pledged government’s support towards the project.

“The product is good. It changes the metabolism of the plant to be less wasteful and more resistant,” he said.

Francis Mwebasa, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, and Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of State for Animal Industry are among government officials at the meeting.

On his part, Prof. Kim, who was accompanied by one of Ac-Planta’s Directors, Mr. Davis Ian Lawson, expressed gratitude to President Museveni and assured him that his company is ready to set up a factory in Uganda to produce the fertilisers.

“All the raw materials required to make our products are here,” he said.

In the same meeting, Dr.  Godfrey Asea, the Director of- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) informed the President that acetic acid is a key input that increases plant vigour, reduces plant diseases, and keeps away pests, increases crop tolerance to drought and heat, therefore increasing productivity.

“Acetic acid is the main substance which can be gotten from sugar canes, maize, and cassava,” he said.

The PPU adds that Dr. Asea further requested President Museveni’s approval for Ac-Planta’s partnership with National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) so that they can conduct a widespread demonstration and commercialisation of the product.

He further stated that the product will benefit farmers in drought-prone areas like the Karamoja subregion.

“The fertiliser is to be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture as a product for mass production in partnership with Ac-Planta company of Japan and commercialised nationally, regionally, and to Africa,” he disclosed.