By Alex Byakatonda
apearlnews.com
Potato farmers in Kabale District, are breathing a thigh of relief,
following the commissioning of the Muhingi Products Factory, whose
main intention is value addition on sweet potato and potato produce.
The Factory was on Wednesday this week, commissioned by the State
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in charge crop
production, Major Rtd Fred Kyakulaga Bwino. Located in Bataka Cell of
Kirigime ward, Southern Division in Kabale Municipality, the factory,
is the brain child of Prof Jonne Mugisha, a researcher and a lecturer
in the school of Agricultural sciences at Makerere University.
According to Prof, Mugisha, they conducted laboratory research on
value addition to potatoes, sweet potatoes and Sorghum, so as to make
these crops pathways to improving livelihoods of the people of Kigezi
region.
The Factory, was constructed under the umbrella dubbed “Regional
Universities Forum for Agricultural training in Africa, which has a
base at Makerere University with support Mastercard foundation,
Makerere university and Excel Hot-consult.
Prof Mugisha adds that the factory, will help to preserve green
vegetable and processing of potatoes to produce several products like
cakes, cookies, Biscuits, waffles and specialty bread among other
products.
This, he says will help the farmers to get rid of excess spoilage of
potato rejects, which the farmers, have been finding it difficult to
sell.
Prof Mugisha also adds that, during their research they discovered
that farmers, have been using the rejects and inferior Potato tubers
for planting, yet he adds that such small and inferior tubers have
defects like accumulated diseases, which defects are recycled and
hence affect production.
According to Prof Mugisha, Irish Potato productivity ratio in Kabale
district, has declined in the last 6-7 years from 7 metric tons per
hectare, to around 4 metric tons, which he blamed on recycling of the
seeds.
The Kabale District Production and Marketing officer, Bedda Mwebesa,
said that the problem in the district among the potato farmers, has
been planting recycled seeds, which has affected productivity.
The Kabale District Vice Chairperson, Miria Akankwasa Tugume, who is
also a potato farmer, confirmed that potato production has continued
to decline. She also said that the culture among farmers, has over
time been to plant small tubers, which they claim can easily cover a
big land. However, she also blamed the decline in potato production to
climatic changes.
Minister Kyakulaga, expressed happiness at the innovation, which he
said has been the missing link in the potato value chain.
