Grain processing facilities launched in Jinja, Masindi

The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with support from the South Korean government has launched two pilot model grain processing facilities in the districts of Masindi and Jinja.

These will work with farmer groups to increase production, add value to it and earn an income hence reduce poverty and food insecurity at household level.

While launching the facilities, minister of at state for agriculture Christopher Kibanzanga said the projects are part of government's efforts to add value to agriculture commodities to increase incomes and achieve a middle-income status.

"If Uganda continues at this pace, there is no doubt that we shall become a middle-income country. This will be possible if people make use of such projects in their localities," he said.

According to the minister, farmers still face challenges of post-harvest losses due to lack of equipment, capacity and storage facilities and markets.

"These are being addressed through the pilot models where farmers are linked to processors, to add value, and also help in finding market in addition to trainings on how to make their products better."

Farmers look at the finished product at Upland. (Credit: Prossy Nandudu)

Jun Young-Suk is the resident representative of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), through which the money was channeled. He said Jinja should serve as a success story to other rice growing regions for the model to spread and benefit all farmers.

"The future of rice production in Uganda will be determined by the success of this establishment. I urge the farmers to work together to produce enough for the establishments," he said.

The maizemill in Masindi is located at AgroVet, a local maize processor, while in Jinja the machinery is at Upland Rice Millers, to take care of surrounding districts into rice production.

The project will see farmers working with centers get equipment such as maize shellers, tarpaulins, threshers and moisture meters to boost quality.

AgroVet processes four tons of maize per hour. 65% of the grain comes from the three farmer groups.

At Upland the machine processes 120 tons of rice in a day, coming from 30,000 farmers.