Silk for revival
Oct 10, 2002
Over sh425m and machinery worth sh100m has been set aside for the revival of silk production in Uganda
By Macrines Nyapendi
Over sh425m and machinery worth sh100m has been set aside for the revival of silk production in Uganda.
The money and machinery have been granted to the sector by the African Development Fund (ADF), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and International Centre for Insect Physiology and Entomology (ICIPE).
ADF and IFAD are currently constructing a sh60m silk processing plant at Kawanda, Wakiso district.
The machine with a capacity to reel 200 metric tonnes of silk cocoons per year, will be functional before the end of this year.
“Silk has enjoyed glorious years but has also suffered setbacks. Basing on the past experiences and history, care has been taken to systematically develop the sericulture sector,†Gershom Mugenyi, the national sericulture expert said this week.
The sericulture sector become infamous in the late 90s when it collapsed shortly after the European Union injected in US$2m.
Uganda has in the past four years exported 750 kg of silk yarn earning US$17500, about 445kg of de-gummed cocoons for $8540 and 4994kg of dry cocoons for $33948 to UK, Japan ,Egypt and South Africa.
“Attempts are being made to diversify the sericulture export base. Processing machines have been installed to add value to exportable products,†Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the Commissioner for Livestock Production, said.
“It is important to know the range of products which can be made out of the cocoons, and to undertake market research to identify possible existing opportunities for sustainable development of the export marketâ€.
The government has taken deliberate actions through diversifying her exports and it is putting more emphasis on non-traditional cash crops. Out of the 19 growing districts, only six are active.
Bushenyi leads with 1073kg of cocoons produced this year followed by Kanungu (173), Mukono (166), Kamuli (83), Iganga (55) and Jinja (24). Sericulture incomes compete favourably with those of other crops, full time farmers earn a minimum of sh200,000 per month.
Over sh425m and machinery worth sh100m has been set aside for the revival of silk production in Uganda.
The money and machinery have been granted to the sector by the African Development Fund (ADF), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and International Centre for Insect Physiology and Entomology (ICIPE).
ADF and IFAD are currently constructing a sh60m silk processing plant at Kawanda, Wakiso district.
The machine with a capacity to reel 200 metric tonnes of silk cocoons per year, will be functional before the end of this year.
“Silk has enjoyed glorious years but has also suffered setbacks. Basing on the past experiences and history, care has been taken to systematically develop the sericulture sector,†Gershom Mugenyi, the national sericulture expert said this week.
The sericulture sector become infamous in the late 90s when it collapsed shortly after the European Union injected in US$2m.
Uganda has in the past four years exported 750 kg of silk yarn earning US$17500, about 445kg of de-gummed cocoons for $8540 and 4994kg of dry cocoons for $33948 to UK, Japan ,Egypt and South Africa.
“Attempts are being made to diversify the sericulture export base. Processing machines have been installed to add value to exportable products,†Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the Commissioner for Livestock Production, said.
“It is important to know the range of products which can be made out of the cocoons, and to undertake market research to identify possible existing opportunities for sustainable development of the export marketâ€.
The government has taken deliberate actions through diversifying her exports and it is putting more emphasis on non-traditional cash crops. Out of the 19 growing districts, only six are active.
Bushenyi leads with 1073kg of cocoons produced this year followed by Kanungu (173), Mukono (166), Kamuli (83), Iganga (55) and Jinja (24). Sericulture incomes compete favourably with those of other crops, full time farmers earn a minimum of sh200,000 per month.