Buganda has signed a deal with Psalms Food Industries, the makers of Sumz snacks, to supply plantain (gonja), which is one of the company’s main products.
This was revealed by Alfred Bakyusa, the chief executive officer of the Buganda Cultural and Development Foundation (BUCADEF), while touring Gomba county last week.
“According to our findings, Gomba, Mawokota, and Busujju have a comparative advantage when it comes to growing plantain (gonja); therefore, we have made a deal with Psalms Foods Industries to buy your plantain crop and improve the livelihoods of our people,” said Bakyusa
He appealed to Kabaka’s chiefs to mobilise farmers within the kingdom to make this a priority in their farming calendar.
“The Kabaka has sent you greetings and ordered you [chiefs] to mobilise his people, especially farmers, to focus on plantain growing because of its numerous economic outcomes”.
The chiefs expressed their gratitude to BUCADEF, saying it had conducted several agro-training workshops in their areas and extended financial assistance to the people.
Ndagire Namusisi, the manager of D6 Mixed Farm in Maddu sub-county, Gomba, tipped farmers on better agro techniques in the growing of plantain.
“Due to the dry spell affecting the crop, we are affected by pests and bees that spread diseases. So, avoid using the same garden tools like knives or pangas in the same garden,” she told farmers.
Namusisi, whose farm sits on 15 acres, also appealed to farmers to embrace afro-forestation as they grow plantain, saying the shade guarantees good yields.
Currently, a kilogram of plantain in the area goes for Shs 1500, she said.
We have been told that the demand for plantain in Uganda has grown because of instability in DR Congo, which used to be a major supply of the crop.
It was really a nice study tour and we thank the kingdom for such good ideas that benefit the Kabaka’s subjects