Southern Africa Awaits Uganda Maize, Beans
Oct 04, 2002
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed agriculture ministry officials to mobilise farmers countrywide, to produce maize and beans for export to hunger-stricken southern Africa countries, reports <b>John Thawite</b>.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed agriculture ministry officials to mobilise farmers countrywide, to produce maize and beans for export to hunger-stricken southern Africa countries, reports John Thawite.
Agriculture minister Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa said four teams were already out to mobilise farmers in the Kasese-Kabarole, Iganga-Kamuli, Masindi-Hoima, Masaka-Kamwenge and Lira-Apac regions. He was addressing farmers in Kasese town during his mobilisation tour of the Kasese-Kabarole region on Wednesday.
Kisamba Mugerwa was accompanied by his commissioner for planning, Rhoda Peace Tumusiime.
He said the Government, through the Uganda Grain Traders Ltd, a consortium of 16 companies, had identified a huge market for beans and maize in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kisamba Mugerwa said at least 250,000 metric tonnes of maize and 50,000 of beans were needed for export.
He said up to sh9b was available to buy the beans and the maize in the 2002/03 seasons starting next January. Kisamba Mugerwa said the most preferred beans were the single colour variety locally known as Nambale (K132).
He asked farmers to plant short-maturing maize varieties including Longe 1, 4, “Nnalongo†(Longe 5) and Hybrid SC407.
He said the beans would not cost less than sh350 per kilogramme and maize not less than sh150. “Beans should be planted from now until early November,†he told the district leaders.
Ends
Agriculture minister Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa said four teams were already out to mobilise farmers in the Kasese-Kabarole, Iganga-Kamuli, Masindi-Hoima, Masaka-Kamwenge and Lira-Apac regions. He was addressing farmers in Kasese town during his mobilisation tour of the Kasese-Kabarole region on Wednesday.
Kisamba Mugerwa was accompanied by his commissioner for planning, Rhoda Peace Tumusiime.
He said the Government, through the Uganda Grain Traders Ltd, a consortium of 16 companies, had identified a huge market for beans and maize in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kisamba Mugerwa said at least 250,000 metric tonnes of maize and 50,000 of beans were needed for export.
He said up to sh9b was available to buy the beans and the maize in the 2002/03 seasons starting next January. Kisamba Mugerwa said the most preferred beans were the single colour variety locally known as Nambale (K132).
He asked farmers to plant short-maturing maize varieties including Longe 1, 4, “Nnalongo†(Longe 5) and Hybrid SC407.
He said the beans would not cost less than sh350 per kilogramme and maize not less than sh150. “Beans should be planted from now until early November,†he told the district leaders.
Ends