SARS Delays Silk Plan
May 16, 2003
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which broke out in east Asia last month, has delayed the completion of the Kawanda silk processing plant.
By Macrines Nyapendi
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which broke out in east Asia last month, has delayed the completion of the Kawanda silk processing plant.
Gershom Mugenyi, the national silk expert said recently, due to the SARS epidemic, Chinese engineers were unable to fly to Uganda to install the equipment. China is among the most hit countries.
“The three supporting organisations contracted Chinese engineers to install the equipment. It is unfortunate that the epidemic broke out before the installation,†Mugenyi said.
The machinery worth sh100m, was offered to the sericulture sector by the African Development Fund (ADF), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and International Centre for Insect Physiology and Entomology (ICIPE).
“Attempts to diversify the sericulture export base have paid off in terms of production; the sector produces over 25 tonnes of silk cocoons an increase from 15 tonnes in 2001. The increase in production is attributed to the recent increase in farm gate prices from sh2000 to sh2800/kg of cocoons,†Mugenyi said.
The plant will have an annual output of 200 metric tonnes of silk cocoons.
Ends
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which broke out in east Asia last month, has delayed the completion of the Kawanda silk processing plant.
Gershom Mugenyi, the national silk expert said recently, due to the SARS epidemic, Chinese engineers were unable to fly to Uganda to install the equipment. China is among the most hit countries.
“The three supporting organisations contracted Chinese engineers to install the equipment. It is unfortunate that the epidemic broke out before the installation,†Mugenyi said.
The machinery worth sh100m, was offered to the sericulture sector by the African Development Fund (ADF), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and International Centre for Insect Physiology and Entomology (ICIPE).
“Attempts to diversify the sericulture export base have paid off in terms of production; the sector produces over 25 tonnes of silk cocoons an increase from 15 tonnes in 2001. The increase in production is attributed to the recent increase in farm gate prices from sh2000 to sh2800/kg of cocoons,†Mugenyi said.
The plant will have an annual output of 200 metric tonnes of silk cocoons.
Ends