Kampala — Uganda has the potential of being one of the leading producers of silk yarn in the world, Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) trade officer Othieno Odoi told Business Vision early this week.

"UEPB under the strategic government intervention programme realised that textiles is one of the issues being ear- marked. That is why we have undertaken the silk sub-sector with a view to complete the textile sector in order to compete in the US initiative African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA)," he said.

He said Uganda is not meeting the demand in the foreign markets, especially in Egypt, which needs at least 500 metric tonnes per month. Instead Uganda can only supply 200 metric tonnes every month.

"We have the silk yarns in abundance and the favourable climate which enables faster growth of the mulberry trees where the silk yarns grow from," he said.

"Following the national stakeholders workshop for silk farmers, which we held at Kanungu, we decided on an action plan among farmers to make sure that we meet the production levels required," Othieno said.

He said in order to boost farmers, they distributed silk planting materials in Western Uganda as part of their ground work.

"We have decide to work in the organised farm groups for easy flow and dissemination of information to farmers," Othieno added.

He said following the high demand of silk in foreign markets, it will help the farmers increase their incomes with an average of sh150,000 per month.

"In the rural areas a quarter of an acre of mulberry trees a farmer can earn himself good capital within 21 to 23 days," he said.

He added that the harvest period of the silk cocoons, which farmers eventually sell can fetch sh2,800 for every kilogramme compared to other crops.

Augustus Baguma said the following Uganda's participation in the SIAL food exhibition in France, the levels of fresh and dry produce from Uganda will hit the world market in a more favourable light

"Our strategy objective of participating in such exhibitions is to get access to the French markets which has been difficult before," he said.

Baguma explained that Uganda has now got acquainted with the development in consumer demands in most parts of the world.

"We have been shipping our dry apples, pineapples, bananas and others. There has been congestion in form of supply rather than the demand, because of the shared buyers, but now we are able to enter the French dominated markets," he said.

Baguma added that they are to formulate strategies on horticulture and spices to arrive at the supply and demand issues.

In the latest budget, Government has decided to take a keen interest in developing foreign markets for items where Uganda has competitive advantages. The strategic intervention programme, is part of this move. Other items include, coffee, fish, flowers, tea, and horticultural products.