Re: [pronut-hiv] Uganda's Organic Fruits On High Demand in Europe

["Bego Cirera" <begocirera@sbcglobal.net>]

This sounds like good news for Uganda's organic farmers! I have a few questions which I hope someone can answer: Why does Uganda have so much of the organic farming in the continent of Africa, and what can other African nations do to follow Uganda's footsteps? In addition, how many years does a land have to be free of pesticides/synthetic chemicals before it can be certified as organic in this country? Do the same rules apply to other African countries?
   
  Thank you in advance. 
   
  B. Cirera
  Organic Farmer

-----ProNut-HIV <pronut-hiv@healthnet.org> wrote:
  Uganda's Organic Fruits On High Demand in Europe
New Vision (Kampala)

March 8, 2006 
John Kasozi
Kampala 

BEGINNING April, organic farmers in Masaka, Rakai and Ssembabule
districts will jubilate because FARMEX, a food processing umbrella, will
export 600 tonnes of fresh fruits every week to European Union (EU)
countries.

FARMEX comprises three community-based organisation; Suruma Foods in
Luweero, COSEDA in Mpigi and Masaka Organic Producers.

"We secured the tender to export fresh fruits to eight firms during the
recent Fruit Trade Fair Logistical that ended on February 9 in Berlin,
Germany, where Uganda's organic products attracted a lot attention,"
said Josephine Aliddeki, executive director, St.Jude Family Projects in
Masaka.

"The aroma, colour, sweetness and size were a centre of attraction. No
country can compete with our fruits," Aliddeki says.

"Forty-six companies wanted organic fruits from Uganda, but we could
only supply to eight companies. The first batch should be leaving to the
Netherlands, Italy and France in March."

They will also supply to companies in the UK, Switzerland and Norway.

Most companies are interested in the big purple grafted passion fruits,
pineapples, sweet banana, avocado, pepper, okra, sugarcane, Goa
sugarcanes, vegetables, sweet potatoes and cocoyam. Uganda Revenue
Authority has promised to assist the farmers by reducing the tax on
packaging materials.

Previously, EU companies were not importing uncertified organic
products. But now, some have agreed to import uncertified organic
products.

Certified organic products are those crops grown without using chemicals
and pesticides.

The demand for uncertified organic products will increase the quantity
of the fruits exported.

According to the report proceedings of the Advocates Coalition for
Development and Environment public policy dialogue series NO.4, 2004,
Uganda leads in organic production in Africa. Uganda also has the
potential to increase production by utilising the non-certified organic
land.

Out of the 40,000 certified farms in 22 countries in Africa, 50% are in
Uganda, making it the only country with more than 1% of agriculture land
under organic agriculture. Land under organic management in Uganda is
122,000 hectares comprising of 28,200 farms.

"Farmers who are interested in growing fruits should contact us for more
information. They should also form groups to make our work easier," says
Aliddeki.

She says she is more interested in dealing with women. More so, DANIDA
(ASPS) has offered to meet the expenses for the organic certification of
fruits grown by women who will be trained by St. Jude in Masaka and
Rakai districts.

DANIDA will cater for between 15-20 outgrowers. And certification will
be conducted beginning in March. The fruits will be analysed to confirm
that there are no chemicals applied.

---------------------------------------------------------------


"We do not inherit the Earth from our forefathers, we borrow it from our children." 
 
"No heredamos la Tierra de nuestros antepasados, la prestamos de nuestros hijos"
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Think Globally, Garden Locally