Technologies for intensification in SW Uganda ... - Foodnet - cgiar

African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). This zone is therefore critical in achieving
targets set by the Government of Uganda.
Two local ginneries in Kasese provide market and to some extent credit for inputs.
Pyrethrum
Pyrethrum was first tried in the then Kigezi district (now Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu and
Rukungiri) in the 1930’s to 1950’s and was abandoned. Its production was revived in 1992 and
efforts have been concentrated in Kabale and Kasese. A processing factory has been built in
Kabale but production has not picked up very well. According to Agro-Management some of the
problems have been lack of elite planting materials, low soil fertility, pests and diseases and a
weak extension system. Also, prices appear to be persistently low. There could a number of other
factors responsible for its low uptake but there is clearly need to understand further the prospects
of this crop in the region.
Vegetables
These include: tomatoes, onions, green pepper, peas, pumpkin, chilies, cabbage, carrots, spinach,
cauliflower, amaranthus, egg plant, garlic, cucumbers, French beans and many others. They are
usually grown in smallholder gardens, often in drained wetlands. In Kasese a gravity irrigation
scheme, the Mubuku irrigation scheme is partly used for vegetable production. This scheme
comprises about 150 families who work individually but management is monitored by the
agricultural officer. The marketing system is well organized as the scheme is able to export highgrade
vegetables to European markets. Investments in structures to store the plants under cool
conditions before they are exported or sold out have been made.
High-input contract vegetable growing has been introduced in some areas, i.e. the production of
runner beans on a farm near Kabale. The crop is produced under high input, floodlights etc. and
marketed overseas. The enterprise has been supported by the Idea project and the developments
should be observed to establish the prospect of such enterprises. Processing was only found in
Kasese where a factory produces tomato ketchup using tomatoes, chilies. More processing options
would be very beneficial.
Banana
Currently most of the banana grown and marketed is of the local East African highland type. They
are typically for cooking, have big bunches, are resistant to fusarium wilt and have good cooking
qualities. However, they are tall, susceptible to wind and are threatened by a wilt which has not
been well identified (it is suspected to be bacterial wilt). The most common varieties are Kisansa,
Kibuzi and Mbwazirume.
The improved varieties are very impressive in terms of the big bunch size and large fingers.
However, they lack the conventional cooking qualities and desert taste. Since the local varieties
are preferred in the markets and the banana is a major staple and cash crop, these varieties will
need sometime to find their niche. The breeders are nonetheless continuing to generate improved
varieties with more desirable qualities like the four new matooke hybrids. The characteristics of
the 4 matooke hybrids have not yet been described but they are potential technology options in the
pipeline.
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