Stephen Bamuhiga Njura in his cocoa farm
Cocoa farmers in Ntoroko district are appealing to the government to establish a factory for them so that they can add value to their produce. Ntoroko district is one of the highest producers of cocoa in the country.
Stephen Bamuhiga Njura, a resident of Kichwamba Village in Nombe Parish who has been producing cocoa for the last 20 years, told our reporter that currently, the farmers are selling dry cocoa beans, but they have realised that they would fetch more money if they add value to the cash crop.
He adds that the current drop in the price of cocoa has also enlightened them to venture into more long-lasting solutions. According to him, the price of cocoa has dropped from 35000 shillings to 15,000, but farmers would earn more if they were producing cocoa powder. The powder can even be stored for a longer period.
Bamuhiga says that even when the prices drop, they have to sell their produce cheaply because they cannot keep the coca beans for a long time, but urges that if they were producing cocoa powder, they would be able to store it for a longer time until the prices stabilise.
John Kule, another farmer, says that too much sunshine that is received in the area is also a challenge to them. He now asks the government to extend irrigation services to them.
“The nature of our area is tricky; we receive too much sunshine, which sometimes turns into drought, yet when the cocoa is in the flowering stage, it needs ample rainfall. When the cocoa does not flower well, we get poor harvests,” Kule says. He adds that as cocoa farmers, they face other challenges like thieves, pests and diseases.
Getrude Mbabazi, a resident of Karugutu Town Council, says that the roads in the area are also a hindrance to them.
She says that during the rainy season, it becomes challenging to transport their produce from the farms to the market. She is appealing to the government to tarmac the Karugutu-Ntoroko road to ease transport in the area.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Uganda exported 72,545 metric tons of cocoa beans valued at USD 620.43 million in the last financial year.
The main destinations for Uganda’s cocoa beans are Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and the Netherlands. Cocoa is used as an ingredient in making chocolate, cosmetics, medicine and beverages.
-URN
