The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), under Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), is set to significantly boost the country’s Hass avocado and macadamia production this year.
With the onset of the rainy season, NAADS has embarked on an ambitious plan to distribute over 400,000 Hass avocado seedlings and 100,000 macadamia seedlings to farmers across Uganda.
The initiative, valued at UGX 3.5 billion, is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote high-value crops that can enhance household incomes and increase export earnings.
The current planting season, from August to October 2024, will see the distribution of 200,000 Hass avocado seedlings, which are expected to cover 1,250 acres, and 100,000 macadamia seedlings, set to establish around 1,000 acres. The second phase of planting will occur between March and May 2025.
This move comes as demand for these crops continues to rise globally, particularly in Europe and Asia, where Hass avocado is highly sought after. However, according to Mrs. Proscovia Mutumba, Crop Development Specialist at NAADS, the initiative faces challenges due to budget constraints.
“We are seeing increased interest from farmers wanting to grow Hass avocado and macadamia, but unfortunately, our budget can only meet a quarter of the current demand,” she noted.
Uganda’s five established avocado processing factories are currently operating below capacity due to a lack of local supply, forcing them to import avocados from Kenya and Tanzania. This has prompted stakeholders, including the government, to call for an urgent scaling up of local production.
NAADS Executive Director, Dr. Samuel Mugasi, emphasized that the organization is working closely with MAAIF and other stakeholders to ensure a substantial increase in the production of these high-value crops to meet both local and international market demands.