Kampala — THERE is hope and economic value in growing vanilla in Uganda. This was the main message on Vanilla Day, which was celebrated in Ngongwe, Mukono district earlier this month.

The chairman of Uganda Vanilla Growers Association (UVAN), Agha Sekalala, said: "Many people who had stopped growing vanilla have now started growing it again. This is encouraging to the sector." He said the most encouraging thing is that prices are stabilising again.

Nathalia Feinberg, the Danish ambassador to Uganda, lauded the private partnership between UVAN and Firmenich that has enabled the production of vanilla to continue irrespective of the challenges.

Firmenich is a Swiss-based company that buys most of Uganda's vanilla.

According to the Uganda Export Promotions Board, vanilla fetched $6.2m from 422 tonnes in 2007 up from 185 tonnes in 2005.

In the mid 1990s, vanilla growing was the leading source of income for people, especially in Mukono, Mpigi, Luweero districts and parts of Bundibugyo and Kasese.