Grow More Maize, Beans
Sep 27, 2002
LAST YEAR the Uganda Grain Traders Limited successfully resurrected maize exports from Uganda.
LAST YEAR the Uganda Grain Traders Limited successfully resurrected maize exports from Uganda.
The 16-member private sector consortium exported over 30,000 tonnes of maize to southern Africa. This ensured that Ugandan farmers were able to sell all their maize despite there being a glut throughout east Africa.
Unfortunately many farmers earned very low prices for their produce and were discouraged by getting as little as 100/- per kilo of maize.
Government has done a lot to support the UGT consortium. Initially they were allowed to use the old CMB warehouses in Bugolobi to collect maize for export. Recently, after Tri-Star took over the CMB site, government refurbished the old Transocean warehouse in Nakawa for UGT at a cost of 10 billion shillings.
Government has gone out of its way to support the private grain traders to develop agricultural exports of basic agricultural commodities. This is right and proper as the long-term prosperity of Uganda depends on developing effective agro-industry.
Since the private sector has received this support from government, it is appropriate that the UGT has guaranteed a minimum price for maize and beans and committed to buying all surplus crop grown this season.
Farmers now know that they may get more than 150/- per kilo of export maize, or 350/- per kilo of export beans, but they will not get less. This allows farmers to plan effectively for the coming season.
If farmers think they can make money at these prices, they should go flat out planting beans and maize sure in the knowledge that the UGT has the capacity and the backing to buy all their surplus crop.
Ends
The 16-member private sector consortium exported over 30,000 tonnes of maize to southern Africa. This ensured that Ugandan farmers were able to sell all their maize despite there being a glut throughout east Africa.
Unfortunately many farmers earned very low prices for their produce and were discouraged by getting as little as 100/- per kilo of maize.
Government has done a lot to support the UGT consortium. Initially they were allowed to use the old CMB warehouses in Bugolobi to collect maize for export. Recently, after Tri-Star took over the CMB site, government refurbished the old Transocean warehouse in Nakawa for UGT at a cost of 10 billion shillings.
Government has gone out of its way to support the private grain traders to develop agricultural exports of basic agricultural commodities. This is right and proper as the long-term prosperity of Uganda depends on developing effective agro-industry.
Since the private sector has received this support from government, it is appropriate that the UGT has guaranteed a minimum price for maize and beans and committed to buying all surplus crop grown this season.
Farmers now know that they may get more than 150/- per kilo of export maize, or 350/- per kilo of export beans, but they will not get less. This allows farmers to plan effectively for the coming season.
If farmers think they can make money at these prices, they should go flat out planting beans and maize sure in the knowledge that the UGT has the capacity and the backing to buy all their surplus crop.
Ends