It is not called the Pearl of Africa for no reason! By and large, Uganda is not only blessed by fertile soils that can support agriculture but also the conducive climate is a God-given advantage that favours farming. On the flipside, it is an open secret that many grass-root farmers operate at a subsistence level. This unfortunately means that the massive potential that exists in farming is nowhere near full actualisation.
Lots of gaps exist in our agricultural sector and the grim fact is that while some efforts have been invested to uplift it, its state remains wanting. The level of commercialisation doesn’t correlate with minimum expectations for a country whose backbone has always been Agriculture. For many, it is a no-brainer to blame the government for this stagnation but objectively, it is nearly impossible to accurately pinpoint why we are where we are, given the myriad of factors that have to be put into consideration. In short, all sector players bear a sizeable burden of responsibility for the current state of affairs.
Since pointing fingers will lead us nowhere, it is prudent that multi-dimensional solutions are sought and implemented with an outside-the-box approach. Mechanisation has for so long been a song with a never-ending verse. The broad meaning of Agricultural Mechanisation includes utilization of modern tools, machinery & equipment at the different stages including development of agricultural land, planting, harvesting and primary processing and distribution. There’s no doubt that mechanisation improves efficiency at all levels from cultivation, crop production, harvesting right up to preservation with the foresight of great & sustainable yields. It also goes without saying that agricultural mechanization in Uganda is very low.
Another key but often-forgotten element at the core of agricultural improvement is Post-Harvest Handling. After harvesting, the yielding consumables need to be handled with care to maintain freshness, nutrient content, taste and quality. This is what constitutes Post-Harvest Handling. Unfortunately, many farmers hack the skills of cultivation and production only to falter at this crucial stage. To put it simply, many farmers master the craft of getting a handsome harvest but lack the skills & tools to hold onto the harvest to eventually convert it into money. Undoubtedly storage & preservation accounts for a big part here.
Having identified this huge gap, we took matters into our own hands to support our small-holder farmers to sharpen their Post-Harvest Handling skills. This is because as Dante Commodities, we feel a responsibility to support them beyond buying their produce. As a result of this effort, we had started training farmers in post-harvest handling in the districts, Mubende & Mityana. It is unfortunate though, that the outbreak of Ebola in this region that led to the eventual restriction of movements and operations in and out of these places paralysed the efforts.
However, not all is lost as we expect to resume our Post-Harvest Handling Training as soon as the health situation in the region improves. We are really big on coffee and we are expectant that with the skills imparted so far, despite the rains, thanks to improved post-harvest handling, we shall have well dried coffee beans starting from the hurlers upcountry up to the coffee processing companies in the capital.
As earlier implied, the solution doesn’t solely lie in Post-Harvest Handling. It is not enough for a farmer to practise sound production techniques and preserve their harvest well without hope of securing market for their produce. Marketing makes it all make sense by ensuring that every farmer earns from their effort.
While our contribution may only count for a drop in the ocean, it is still a step in the right direction. We therefore implore all sector players to be intentional about playing a part, no matter how small, in taking the sector forward. It is our belief that with concerted effort, we shall plug the gaps in the Agricultural sector.
Emmanuel Luyinda, Managing Director of Dante Commodities
The Writer is the Managing Director of Dante Commodities, a leading grain distribution company in Uganda.
