Sunflower growing making a difference to poverty in northern Uganda

The fortunes of sunflower farmers in northern Uganda are expected to soar considerably this year as the crop's key buyer, Mukwano Industries expands demand. The company's Chief Executive, Mr. Tony Gadhoke, said sunflower farmers this year would earn Shs15 billion ($9 million), up from last year's Shs11.2 billion ($6.5 million).

The company started sunflower production in Northern Uganda in 2001, mainly to generate a domestic and cheaper oil-seed supply for production of cooking oil. Mukwano is the largest producer of edible oils in Uganda. Some 34,000 farmers in the region are growing the crop, which is directly purchased by Mukwano.

On average, a farmer will pocket close to Shs500, 000 ($300), a significant amount in a region where three quarters of the population live in poverty.

Mukwano signs contracts with sunflower growers, trains them in proper agricultural techniques and supplies them with high-yield seeds and fertiliser packs. Last year 32,000 metric tonnes of the oil seed was purchased and Gadhoke said the company's demand this year will almost triple to 100,000 metric tonnes.

To sock up the surge in the crop's output, Mukwano is currently erecting a new processing facility in Lira District.When the plant is commissioned, the company's demand is expected to grow again, offering a rare economic opportunity for thousands in the region to start growing the crop and get regular income.

To date, Mukwano has invested approximately Shs15 billion in sunflower production in northern Uganda and intends to step up annual spending to Shs40 billion ($23 million).

The Monitor