Busoga embraces cocoa growing

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For decades, Busoga sub-region has been embroiled in the growing of other traditional cash crops without any competition, thus affecting the private farmers’ income.

The initiative by the Coffee and Cocoa Value Chains Development (CoCoDev) project has stepped up a growing sensitisation and education for farmers in the Busoga sub-region to grow more cocoa for more profits from the global market.

Swisscontact in collaboration with the Government of Uganda partnership with the private sector on Thursday organised a Busoga Regional Cocoa Field Day with a theme: “Promoting Sustainable Cocoa Growing in Busoga for Enhanced Household Income and Food Security.”

According to the Programme Manager of Swisscontact, Kenneth Aedu, “Swisscontact is working hand in hand with government to ensure that farmers have reliable information that will help them to produce more cocoa in Uganda.”

Aedu says there are four districts in Uganda where cocoa is currently being grown; Mayuge, Buikwe, Bundibugyo, and Mukono adding that “we are partnering with 12 districts including those that do not grow cocoa but our aim is to help sensitise them on the economic benefits farmers get when they engage in cocoa farming.”

Swisscontact is an independent non-profit development organisation with a key focus on strengthening the skills of individual farmers and fostering the competitiveness of businesses.

Aedu says that the Swisscontact has dispatched at least shs100m to registered farmers in Mayuge district.

Aedu notes that, countrywide, Swisscontact has 2000 registered cocoa farmers from the four districts who are also encouraged crop, and farmers are encouraged to grow other food crops such as; soya beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, and coffee.

However, UCDA says, “At the moment Uganda has over 200,000 most of whom are smallholder farmers who have at least an acre.

By 2022, the export volumes of cocoa stood at 10,000 metric tonnes. In addition, Uganda as a country earns over 100 million US dollars’ worth of exports of cocoa per year.

It is against this background that UCDA is calling for expression of interest for matching grants to support the commercialisation of cocoa production. In this, we call upon the smallholder cocoa farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives and associations among others to apply for the grants.  

The Mayuge District Production Officer, Dr. Mathias Kasadha explains cocoa as a perennial crop that matures at two to three years depending on the management by the farmer and the nature of the soils in that location.

According to the National Project Coordinator with Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Winston Abanaitwe says government is currently promoting the Cocoa Value Chain production and postharvest handling and management of the crop.

For example, the government has designed a Market Access and Upgrade program known as ‘Mark-Up) that is funded by the European Union to train farmers on postharvest handling access and also train them on food agricultural practices, particularly cocoa.

Abanaitwe says the government is coming up with various initiatives to help farmers standardise cocoa and its related products such as chocolates by adding value to them in a bid to attract both local and foreign markets.

Maido Muzamiru, a cocoa farmer, explains how pests are a challenge to his farm. (Credit: Julius Odeke)

Ugandan cocoa is exported to South Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, African countries and then into the international market like in Europe. Cocoa products include chocolates and cocoa powder, which are in high demand.  

UCDA in partnership with the National Cocoa Research Institute (NaCORI) developing higher-yielding varieties. Currently, farmers in Uganda grow three main varieties that include; Criollo, Trinitario, and Forastero.

Talking to the local farmers, they had this to say:

Lucy Kivuma, 53, is a cocoa farmer from Malongo village in Malongo sub-county. “I have two acres where I have grown cocoa.” I have been a cocoa farmer now for the last 10 years,” says Kivuma.

However, she urges the government and its partners to help farmers eradicate pests and diseases that keep attacking and destroying the crop, particularly at its critical flowering stages.

Catherine Nabyoga, 42, from Bukalenzi village in Bukalenzi sub-county in Bunya West County says, “I started growing cocoa but due to inadequate land for expansion, early this year, I bought a half an acre to add onto my first one acre.”

Nabyoga decries the existence of diseases in the crop, thus resulting in low cocoa production. "However, I am happy that, the market for cocoa has been brought nearer to us the cocoa farmers. We have formed an association and it is from that where we sell to buyers at Bugade sub-county. 

“Locally, in Bugade sub-county, farmers sell a kilogram of cocoa between w 10,000 and Shs11,000 and this has been fundamental in helping farmers to build their economic strength in their respective families,” said Nabyoga.

Meanwhile, Vincent Oketcho, 60, a farmer from Lukindu village in Bukatube parish and sub-county in Bunya West says, “I have two acres of land where I have grown my cocoa for the last four years.”

Every year, I at least harvest at least 50 kgs per year. At first, a kg of cocoa was being bought at Shs8,000 but now the price has increased to Shs11,000. In my second year, I harvested 70 kgs.   

“In this cocoa business, if you allow middlemen to buy the beans from you then you will not understand it. That is why I personally participate in the selling of my cocoa beans because I want to feel my products,” Oketcho narrates. 

The pests that climb the crop destroying its leaves and the flowers only challenge me.

“But agricultural extension workers at the sub-counties are sensitising farmers always to prune their plants well. Once a farmer does that, such challenges cease and that is what I am currently doing,” he added. There are new farming approaches that we are being taught by the extension workers. These new ideas are very lucrative to us now.

Muzamiru Maido, 62, a farmer from Lwabala village in Bufulubi parish in Imanyiro sub-county says I have six acres of land full of cocoa plants. 

However, at first, I started cocoa farming with two acres in 2013. Now in total, I have six acres and my crop is doing well.

Maido notes that the proceeds from cocoa have helped him diversify his economic activities in his home. He only decries the presence of deadly weeds in his fields that have given him many challenges in weeding the crop several times.

Abanaitwe an expert working with UCDA warned farmers about pests that attack cocoa especially the sucking pests like psyllids, and pod borers. 

Dennis Isada, a veterinary specialist in Mayuge district, advises farmers to use Omex Calmaz, which he says helps to protect crops against blossom end rot and splitting of fruits. This particular chemical, according to Isada also enhances flowering and pollination of crops.

Isada explains that Omex Calmax is used specifically for certain crops such as cocoa, avocado, pumpkins and cabbages, to name but a few.