Uganda may fail to meet Tooke demand
Nov 12, 2008
UGANDA may fail to meet the demand for processed matooke (Tooke) when exportation of the product starts next year, an official of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development has predicted.
By Ben Okiror
UGANDA may fail to meet the demand for processed matooke (Tooke) when exportation of the product starts next year, an official of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development has predicted.
Although mass production is scheduled to start at the beginning of next year, the capacity to sustain supply is doubtful unless farmers increase output.
Sarah Bimbona, the marketing officer of the initiative, said in a bid to ensure constant supply, the PIBID was supporting farmers in Bushenyi, Mbarara and Mbale with irrigation facilities. The project is also testing the soil in those areas and advising farmers on better methods to increase yields.
They will also be assisted to access loans from micro-finance institutions.
During an exhibition of Ugandan exporters at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort recently, the project showcased its products: Raw Tooke flour and Instant Tooke flour and a recipe book.
Raw Tooke is used in baking cakes, biscuits and other edibles, substituting wheat up to between 70-100%. Instant Tooke is used for making bread, soup, porridge and baby foods.
Bimbona said although France and Germany had already expressed interest in the product, they would start selling to other countries when they can sustain the demand.
The market is largely foreign and Ugandan embassies are being used to market the products, she said.
“The local market takes only about 20-30% because of the availability of fresh matooke,†Bimbona said, adding that a bunch of 15kg produces only 3kg when processed.
She said drying machines would be distributed to various centres, where farmers would deliver their produce.
The initiative aims at turning banana production into a commercially-viable venture. It has a factory in Bushenyi, where 80% of Uganda’s matooke is grown, Bimbona said.
With a capacity of five tonnes daily, the factory will require 25 tonnes of raw matooke.
UGANDA may fail to meet the demand for processed matooke (Tooke) when exportation of the product starts next year, an official of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development has predicted.
Although mass production is scheduled to start at the beginning of next year, the capacity to sustain supply is doubtful unless farmers increase output.
Sarah Bimbona, the marketing officer of the initiative, said in a bid to ensure constant supply, the PIBID was supporting farmers in Bushenyi, Mbarara and Mbale with irrigation facilities. The project is also testing the soil in those areas and advising farmers on better methods to increase yields.
They will also be assisted to access loans from micro-finance institutions.
During an exhibition of Ugandan exporters at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort recently, the project showcased its products: Raw Tooke flour and Instant Tooke flour and a recipe book.
Raw Tooke is used in baking cakes, biscuits and other edibles, substituting wheat up to between 70-100%. Instant Tooke is used for making bread, soup, porridge and baby foods.
Bimbona said although France and Germany had already expressed interest in the product, they would start selling to other countries when they can sustain the demand.
The market is largely foreign and Ugandan embassies are being used to market the products, she said.
“The local market takes only about 20-30% because of the availability of fresh matooke,†Bimbona said, adding that a bunch of 15kg produces only 3kg when processed.
She said drying machines would be distributed to various centres, where farmers would deliver their produce.
The initiative aims at turning banana production into a commercially-viable venture. It has a factory in Bushenyi, where 80% of Uganda’s matooke is grown, Bimbona said.
With a capacity of five tonnes daily, the factory will require 25 tonnes of raw matooke.