Irrigation scheme launched
A multi-billion irrigation scheme to revive commercial fruit production in the eastern region has been launched.
By Josephine Maseruka
A multi-billion irrigation scheme to revive commercial fruit production in the eastern region has been launched.
Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, launched the scheme.
Bella Irrigation Scheme is a joint venture between a Dutch company, Afro Fresh foods, based in Denmark and Bella International, a Ugandan company owned by Ugandans in the diaspora.
Mathias Nabutele, a Bella director, said the 1.75m Euro project had secured a market for the fruits in Amsterdam.
The Dutch government has advanced 60% of the 1.2 m Euros to the proprietors who are appealing to the Uganda government to help them secure the balance of 350,000 Euros to implement the two-year project.
Five hundred farmers from Iganga, Kamuli and Jinja districts have joined the Balimi Network for Developing Enterprises in Rural Agriculture (BANDERA), to invest in fruit production and to improve their income.
Bukenya launched the scheme at a 150-acre farm of mangoes, oranges, passion fruit, pineapples, okra and seri-culture in Kamuli.
Nabutele said, “Once the fruits have been processed and sold in Amsterdam, we expect farmers to reap between sh5m and sh7m per acre.†Bukenya hailed BANDERA for setting up a unique example of rural commercial fruit farming and said it should be emulated countrywide.
Ends
A multi-billion irrigation scheme to revive commercial fruit production in the eastern region has been launched.
Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, launched the scheme.
Bella Irrigation Scheme is a joint venture between a Dutch company, Afro Fresh foods, based in Denmark and Bella International, a Ugandan company owned by Ugandans in the diaspora.
Mathias Nabutele, a Bella director, said the 1.75m Euro project had secured a market for the fruits in Amsterdam.
The Dutch government has advanced 60% of the 1.2 m Euros to the proprietors who are appealing to the Uganda government to help them secure the balance of 350,000 Euros to implement the two-year project.
Five hundred farmers from Iganga, Kamuli and Jinja districts have joined the Balimi Network for Developing Enterprises in Rural Agriculture (BANDERA), to invest in fruit production and to improve their income.
Bukenya launched the scheme at a 150-acre farm of mangoes, oranges, passion fruit, pineapples, okra and seri-culture in Kamuli.
Nabutele said, “Once the fruits have been processed and sold in Amsterdam, we expect farmers to reap between sh5m and sh7m per acre.†Bukenya hailed BANDERA for setting up a unique example of rural commercial fruit farming and said it should be emulated countrywide.
Ends