Pyrethrum can reap $5m
CASH returns from pyrethrum grown in Kabale, can earn Uganda $5m (about sh9b) in the medium term, if the processing plant operates at full capacity
By James Odomel
CASH returns from pyrethrum grown in Kabale, can earn Uganda $5m (about sh9b) in the medium term, if the processing plant operates at full capacity.
Uganda Export Promotion Board trade information officer, Adam Kateera disclosed this yesterday during an interview with The New Vision at their offices in Conrad Plaza, Kampala.
Pyrethrum is mostly used as the main input for insecticides and grows as a cactus-like plant with spiky leaves.
Kateera said Uganda’s present acreage is only 1500, compared to Kenya’s 100,000. However the Kabale processing plant is only working at 15% capacity.
He said, “Kenya controls 70% of the world market, with a total acreage of 100,000 acres. Kabale presents a high potential export in Pyrethrum, earnings so far indicate that given increased support and sufficient intervention the figure can be doubled,†he said.
Kateera said the crop was able to cash in $230,000 and $600,000 in 2000 and 2001 respectively and $1m is expected this year.
“The realisation that pyrethrum is one of the emerging niche exports has aroused the need for a strategic promotion and development drive,†Kateera said.
Kateera said that, pyrethrum being a rural cash crop, makes it ideal for helping raise household incomes, while the country also cashes in on forex through exports.
He said the its agro-processing industrial structure for value addition has already been established, albeit operating under capacity.
Kateera added that under the strategic intervention in exports programme, Uganda Export Promotion Board has developed a new approach to export development and promotion.
“One of the key strategies is to ensure that in every district major exportable products are developed,†he said.
He said there are only six major world producers of pyrethrum. These are Kenya, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Uganda and Tasmania.
CASH returns from pyrethrum grown in Kabale, can earn Uganda $5m (about sh9b) in the medium term, if the processing plant operates at full capacity.
Uganda Export Promotion Board trade information officer, Adam Kateera disclosed this yesterday during an interview with The New Vision at their offices in Conrad Plaza, Kampala.
Pyrethrum is mostly used as the main input for insecticides and grows as a cactus-like plant with spiky leaves.
Kateera said Uganda’s present acreage is only 1500, compared to Kenya’s 100,000. However the Kabale processing plant is only working at 15% capacity.
He said, “Kenya controls 70% of the world market, with a total acreage of 100,000 acres. Kabale presents a high potential export in Pyrethrum, earnings so far indicate that given increased support and sufficient intervention the figure can be doubled,†he said.
Kateera said the crop was able to cash in $230,000 and $600,000 in 2000 and 2001 respectively and $1m is expected this year.
“The realisation that pyrethrum is one of the emerging niche exports has aroused the need for a strategic promotion and development drive,†Kateera said.
Kateera said that, pyrethrum being a rural cash crop, makes it ideal for helping raise household incomes, while the country also cashes in on forex through exports.
He said the its agro-processing industrial structure for value addition has already been established, albeit operating under capacity.
Kateera added that under the strategic intervention in exports programme, Uganda Export Promotion Board has developed a new approach to export development and promotion.
“One of the key strategies is to ensure that in every district major exportable products are developed,†he said.
He said there are only six major world producers of pyrethrum. These are Kenya, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Uganda and Tasmania.