Grapes: An exotic fruit not fully tapped

HARVEST MONEY

During biblical days, grapes were a golden fruit that were used to make expensive wine. In modern times, countries like France and Italy were the first countries to make wine from grapes, but it has now spread worldwide.

In Mbarara, one farmer, Ham Ahimbisibwe, has taken to growing the juicy fruit. His vineyard sits on a hill in Mabiira cell in Nyarubungo ward Nyakayonjo division, Mbarara municipality.

At his vineyard, one is welcomed by lush green vegetation and fruits complemented by a cool breeze.  Ahimbisibwe is also the headteacher of Mbarara High School. "For me it was out of passion that I picked grapes as my main farming enterprise," he says.

Incidentally, the largest amount of grapes in Uganda are imported from countries like Egypt and South Africa. And yet, the success of farmers like Ahimbisibwe in Uganda is an indication that indeed grapes can be successfully grown in Uganda.

"If you have a big compound, you can even plant a few stems for domestic consumption," says Florence Kayaayo, who also grows grapes in Fort-portal. Kayaayo does not only grow them, but also processes wine from the exotic fruit. She says that there is nothing unique about growing grapes that other people cannot do.

Read this full story in the Harvest Money pullout in today's New Vision, which you can also access in soft copy here👉🏽  https://t.co/pxiru7Qt1t