UGANDA – Delight Uganda Limited (DUL), a Ugandan fruit processing company producing juices under the brand name Cheers, has partnered with the government to establish a Shs30 billion (US$8.1m) fruit processing plant in Nwoya district, Northern Uganda.
This is a public-private partnership aimed to increase productivity and competitiveness within the agricultural sector.
According to reports by Daily Monitor, the project will be funded by the government and it has already secured Ush 16 billion (US$4.3m) from the current financial budget.
The National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) has contributed Ush 6 billion (US$1.6m) while the Uganda Development Cooperation offered Ush.10 billion (US$2.7m). The balance will be provided in the subsequent budgets.
“This will increase incomes through increasing production and productivity for both households and the economy and promote value addition of agricultural products,” said Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr Vincent Ssempijja during the signing of the partnership.
The establishment of the plant will promote the nuclear farming model- which will in turn boost proper planning and marketing of agricultural produce and promotion of the agricultural value chain.
“Something that started as a family project has expanded and is benefiting the community of Northern Uganda which now boasts of employment for the informal sector,” Ms Adyeri said.
She added that the collaboration brings on board experts to train small holder farmers on how to add value to their products.