The dryers, which are fitted with polythene and wire mesh, are used to dry pineapples. Muhammad says the polythene material used to cover the dryer used to cost Shillings 60,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic but now costs Shillings 200, 000.
A group of
farmers involved in adding value to pineapples in Kayunga district are
struggling to repair their solar box dryers. Through their umbrella, Kisega
Horticulture Grower’s Association-KHGA, the more than 60 farmers found in Kangulumira
Sub County, say they are unable to repair the solar box dryers because of the COVID-19
pandemic that interrupted their business.
The farmers
had secured two big solar dryers and about 50 small solar box dryers with
support from Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund-MAK-RIF to dry pineapples
so as to create a sustainable market. Ibin-Abas Muhamad, the Patron KHGA says
most of their dryers were damaged when farmers lost interest after registering
heavy losses during the lockdown.
The dryers,
which are fitted with polythene and wire mesh, are used to dry pineapples. Muhammad
says the polythene material used to cover the dryer used to cost Shillings 60,000
before the COVID-19 pandemic but now costs Shillings 200, 000. He explains that
before they suspended their activities, each farmer had registered a loss of
approximately Shillings 30million in dried pineapples.
The farmers
used to sell the dried pineapples to Kenyan traders. A kilogram of dried
pineapples costs Shillings 25, 000. Muhammad says MAK-RIF promised to
extend to them support once the university fully resumes its operations.
//Cue in: “Tekinologiya wa…
Cue out: …nanansi telinye”//
Hamis Kakembo, a pineapple farmer at Nongo in Kangulumira town council appeals
to the government to extend support to their project. He says that value
addition makes sense at a period like this when there is a bumper harvest for pineapples
since they can preserve them for future use.
//Cue in: “Naye obuzibu nti…
Cue out: …tetubulina”//
Dr. David
Mugabi, the Kayunga District Production Officer, says that they are currently
engaging the government and other stakeholders to support the farmers.
He says
that they will also continue reminding the government to through the National
Agricultural Advisory Services to expedite the construction of a multi-billion
pineapple juice processing factory to assist reduce the losses incurred by
farmers due to lack proper
market.
