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Uganda: Iganga Gets Fruit Factory
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New Vision (Kampala)
13 May 2008
Posted to the web 14 May 2008
Mathias Mazinga
Kampala
AN ecological fruit-drying factory, the first in Uganda, was launched in Nakalama in Iganga over the weekend.Estimated to cost euro 250,000 (about sh647.5m), the plant is built on a three-acre piece of land.
It processes papaws, mangoes, pineapples and bananas, with a 1,000 tonne-capacity per month. It was funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation through its affiliate organisation, Horizont 3000.
Africa 2000, a Horizont 3000 local partner, will operate the factory on behalf of the farmers. Kathrin Hawighorst, the Horizont 300 regional office director, said during the inaugural ceremony that the establishment would boost commercial farming and add value to the products for local and international markets.
She explained that the project was in line with Horizont 300 objective of promoting community empowerment for sustainable livelihoods and income generation.
"Integrated rural development through sustainable use of natural resources is one of our priority aims.
"We want to see increased agricultural production not only for food security but also to support value addition and marketing," Hawighorst said.
She called upon the farmers to be mindful of the quality of their products. Hawighorst assured them of ready international market.
Dr. Walter Ehmeir, the head of the Austrian Development Cooperation, emphasised the need for organic agriculture and food processing, which he said could create sustainable incomes for small-scale farmers.
He encouraged Ugandans to buy the factory's products, which he said were of high quality.
He said the factory had been built using the best technology.
Gagawala Wambuzi, the state minister for trade, commended Horizont 3000 for contributing to the country's transformation process through its poverty-reduction programmes.
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The minister challenged the local farmers to take advantage of the factory.
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