Editorial
Stakeholders in Uganda’s avocado value chain have held discussions with government officials on measures to address challenges affecting production, value addition, and access to international markets.
The engagement, held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala today, brought together farmers, exporters, processors, government agencies, and other key players to discuss ways of strengthening the avocado industry and ensuring that all actors benefit from the growing global demand for avocado products.
Representing Col. Edith Nakalema, head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Mr. Stephen Kaheru said the engagement demonstrated a shared commitment towards transforming the avocado value chain into a driver of economic growth and improved livelihoods.
He noted that the meeting was critical in addressing barriers preventing exporters and other players from fully tapping into the potential of the sector.
Mr. Kaheru emphasized that cooperation among government ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector players would be key to achieving sustainable results.
Mr. Peter Dhamuzungu, who represented, Maj. Gen(Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said the discussions provided an opportunity for farmers, exporters, processors, and other actors to share concerns and propose solutions that will improve production, quality standards, and market access.
Mr. Francis Kasirinya from the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance said Uganda must improve its competitiveness if it is to benefit from the expanding global avocado market.
He warned that an unstructured local market was affecting farmers, exporters, and the country’s reputation.
He explained that without proper market organization, farmers receive inconsistent information, exporters struggle to access reliable raw materials, and Uganda’s brand suffers.
Meanwhile, Agribusiness Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Avotein Farms Limited, Mr. Hank Dahlan, said Uganda’s avocado sector was still at an early stage compared to leading global producers.
He noted that while Uganda has potential due to its favourable climate, more effort was needed to understand export markets and meet international standards.
He emphasized that Hass avocado was primarily an export crop and required farmers and exporters to focus on quality.
Mr. Richard Welisha, founder of the National Avocado Federation of Uganda and an avocado farmer, called for careful consideration of proposed regulations affecting the avocado value chain, saying farmers’ interests must remain central.
Mr. Welisha said many farmers were concerned about proposals reportedly aimed at restricting certain buyers, particularly Kenyan buyers, from accessing Uganda’s avocado produce.
He questioned whether Ugandan buyers were offering farmers prices comparable to those offered by external buyers, noting that competition had helped improve earnings at the farm level.
Mr. Welisha also raised concerns about proposals requiring buyers to go through designated buying centres, local market dealers, or cooperatives, arguing that regulations should not disadvantage farmers.
He cautioned against introducing measures that could weaken the sector, saying lessons should be drawn from other agricultural experiences where restrictive regulations affected farmers’ livelihoods.
Mr. Welisha emphasized that despite differing views among players, collaboration remained critical to developing a sustainable avocado value chain.
He added that the avocado sector was still developing and required cooperation between farmers, investors, exporters, and the government to achieve its full potential.
