Local research and innovative technologies improving incomes and livelihoods for horticulture farmers in Uganda
By Penina Yumbya, Stephine Ogutu, Archie Jarman, Annsofie Misiani
Editor: Heather Hayashi
The critical role of horticulture in Uganda
In Uganda, horticulture plays an important role in food security, nutrition, and employment opportunities, and is a major source of income for small-scale farmers and traders. According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the sector contributed 14.4% of the national GDP for FY 21/22, producing about 5.8 million tons of horticulture commodities per year worth USD$35 million. The sector accounts for 85% of the total number of agricultural products shipped out of the country annually, with the major items produced in-country being tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, green pepper and local vegetables, as well as mango, banana, citrus and papaya fruits.
Despite the sector’s overall significance to the country’s economy, small-scale producers receive insignificant benefits due to various factors, and face several challenges which bring down the region’s fruit and vegetable production-capacity. Some of these challenges include lack of access to fertilizers, poor agronomic practices and infrastructure, high postharvest losses, limited market access, and a lack of knowledge regarding improved practices among small-scale producers. Overcoming these hurdles requires coordinated efforts from stakeholders such as government agencies, development partners and private sector entities.
Postharvest losses hindering progress for small-scale horticulture producers
Globally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates yearly global food loss and waste of fruits and vegetables produced at roughly 40–50%. In the Northern Uganda’s West Nile region, the figure is 70%. This perishable produce starts to deteriorate as soon as they are harvested; they lose weight, texture, flavour, nutritional value, and ultimately, consumer appeal. Such high postharvest losses are a result of a variety of factors, including: poor pre-harvest management, harvesting techniques, and post-harvest handling; surpluses in production; and, lack of market access for harvested produce.
In the past, attention has been directed towards increasing the production of horticultural commodities. However, there is an urgent need to develop affordable and scalable post-harvest innovations to preserve perishable farm produce like horticulture crops. Because of the seasonal pattern of rainfall in Uganda, fresh vegetables – offering high nutritional value – are mostly produced during the wet season, and are plentiful during this period. This glut causes a drop in prices and a significant amount of waste due to their high perishability. Financial and food losses can be attributed to poor infrastructure, lack of knowledge regarding cultivar selection in relation to shelf-life, low capital base, minimal capacity to handle the produce, as well as failure to observe proper postharvest handling during harvesting, sorting, packaging and transportation.
To remain fresh for an extended period, many varieties of fruits and vegetables require low temperature and high humidity storage conditions. Unfortunately, due to the costs of cold storage facilities, small-scale producers are unable to access them. Thus, to avoid losses, producers are forced to dispose of their produce at extremely low prices, negatively impacting their lives and livelihoods, and the potential to expand their farming ventures.
Reducing postharvest losses through research and innovative technologies
To respond to these issues, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture is supporting the implementation of a 3.5-year project titled, Development of Innovative Horticulture Technologies for Improved Income and Livelihoods Among Small-Scale Women Farmers in Uganda. The project is being led by Muni University based in Arua, in collaboration with Omia Agribusiness Development Group and Arua City Women Horticulture Marketing. The International Center for Evaluation and Development (ICED) serves as the host organisation for the Horticulture Innovation Lab East Africa Regional Hub, and helps coordinate the implementation of this project. The project’s overall objective is to develop innovative horticulture technologies for improved income and livelihoods among small-scale women producers in Uganda. The project includes a focus on improving the following outcomes for small-scale women producers: improved household nutrition status, increased sale of vegetables, and increased household income status.
To improve accessibility to affordable cold storage facilities for small-scale producers, the Horticulture Innovation Lab research team at Muni University, led by Professor Robert Kajobe, set up the first solar-powered CoolBot® cold room in Arua, Uganda. This cold room is a simple, relatively low cost, innovative technology that transforms any well-insulated room into a cold storage unit with a home air conditioner. The CoolBot® effectively regulates temperature and humidity levels, thereby boosting the freshness of commodities. Due to power fluctuations in the rural area, the team at Muni University adopted an off-grid solar-powered CoolBot® to enhance its efficacy as the region often experiences power fluctuations. The capacity of the CoolBot® is about 4 tons of fresh produce – enough to serve a number of small-scale producers and vendors in and around Arua.
“Since its installation, the storage facility has reduced tomato loss from 7 kg to 2 kg per day. This has trickled to producers through increased absorption volumes from 900 kg to 2500 kg per month by Omia Foods as a bulk buyer,” says Professor Robert Kajobe.
Omia Agribusiness Development Group, a Uganda-based horticulture enterprise, offers agricultural inputs alongside complementary extension services, catering particularly to women in the industry. To reduce waste, Omia also assists farmers by facilitating market access, aggregating produce, and connecting them with buyers. According to the Executive Director of Omia Agribusiness Development group, Iganachi Razaki, the impact of CoolBot® innovation on horticultural farming in Arua district has been nothing short of transformative: “CoolBot® has been a game changer in my business as it has significantly reduced post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables in my facility, ensuring that more produce gets to my customers in optimal conditions.” He further adds, “This not only translates to increased profits for my business, but also benefits smallholder producers from whom we source the produce, as I can buy large volumes without the worry of spoilage.’’
“This inclusive approach not only reduces transportation costs for farmers but also creates new opportunities for input dealers,” says Dr. Penina Yumbya, Horticulture Innovation Lab East Africa Regional Hub Manager. “At ICED, we’re excited to collaborate with researchers at Muni University, to develop innovative horticulture technologies that empower small-scale women producers in Uganda. And we hope future findings will help inform evidence-based policies to strengthen the sector.”
Strengthening the horticulture sector, locally and beyond
Addressing the challenges confronting the sector necessitates strategies that enhance post-harvest handling practices and improve market entry, for small-scale producers. The solar-powered CoolBot® coldroom provides a relatively low-cost innovation to reduce post-harvest spoilage, maintain the freshness of horticultural products, and prolong their storage life. By embracing these innovations and encouraging small-scale producers to integrate them into their practices, Uganda has the opportunity to maximize the productivity of its horticultural industry, enhance food stability, and aid in both growth and poverty reduction. Finally, establishing reliable market connections, such as those led by Omia Agribusiness, is vital for the economic feasibility of these units. Ultimately, this project will not only have positive impacts on the target participants but also contribute to the broader sustainable development goals of poverty reduction, gender equality, and overall sustainable agricultural development in Uganda.
Uganda's horticulture sector represents a source of optimism for progress, poverty reduction and sustainable growth. Given the country’s resources, favourable climate conditions and enterprising nature, the Uganda is well equipped to reap all the opportunities horticulture offers. By tackling challenges and implementing focused measures, Uganda can fully capitalize on the full potential of its industry, paving the way for comprehensive growth, food security, and prosperity for all.