Stakeholders in Uganda’s avocado value chain have engaged government officials on measures to address challenges affecting production, value addition, and access to international markets.
The engagement, held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, brought together farmers, exporters, processors, government agencies, and other industry players to discuss ways of strengthening the avocado sector and ensuring that all actors benefit from the growing global demand for avocado products.
Representing Col. Edith Nakalema, head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Mr. Stephen Kaheru commended the Ministry of Agriculture and other government agencies for supporting efforts aimed at resolving concerns affecting investors in the sector.
He said the engagement demonstrated a shared commitment to transforming the avocado value chain into a driver of economic growth and improved livelihoods.
“We are gathered here because we share a common vision of transforming the avocado value chain into a vehicle that catalyzes economic growth and improves rural livelihoods,” Mr. Kaheru said.
He noted that the meeting was important in addressing barriers preventing farmers and exporters from fully exploiting the sector’s potential.
“We are here to collectively address the concerns that hinder us as farmers and exporters from realizing the full potential of this value chain as a catalyst for rural transformation,” he said.
Mr. Kaheru emphasized that collaboration among government ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector players would be critical in achieving sustainable growth.
“The seamless collaboration amongst ministries, departments and agencies is what will yield the real value that we are all yearning for, from the seed to the plate,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the discussions would result in practical solutions that enable investors to realize returns while benefiting all participants in the value chain.
The Commissioner for External Trade, Mr. Cleopas Ndorere, who represented the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC), Ms. Lynette Bagonza, said government remained committed to supporting the growth of Uganda’s avocado industry.
Mr. Ndorere thanked Col. Nakalema for drawing attention to the sector and bringing together stakeholders to discuss challenges affecting the industry.
“We are here to listen to the farmers and obtain their views because we recognize that any interventions must be informed by the perspectives of all stakeholders,” he said.
He encouraged participants to openly share challenges affecting production, quality standards, markets, and value addition to guide government interventions.
“We want to ensure that farmers, exporters, and other players are supported to promote quality production, value addition, and market access,” Mr. Ndorere said.
Mr. Peter Dhamuzungu, who represented Maj. Gen. (Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said government recognized avocado as an emerging commercial crop and was committed to working with stakeholders to address challenges affecting the value chain.
He said the discussions provided an opportunity for farmers, exporters, processors, and other actors to share concerns and propose solutions that would improve production, quality standards, and market access.
“We are here to listen to the different players in the value chain so that interventions are informed by the realities on the ground,” Mr. Dhamuzungu said.
The Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA) Board Chairperson, Ms. Victoria Sekitoleko, said discussions around developing the avocado sector had grown significantly from small stakeholder engagements into a broader national conversation.
She thanked farmers and industry players who remained committed despite limited resources during the early stages of the sector’s development.
Ms. Sekitoleko called for greater involvement of government agencies responsible for cooperatives, industry development, standards, and export promotion.
She said the growth of avocado as an emerging commercial crop required deliberate planning, stronger coordination, and supportive policies.
“Avocado is a new crop, so we are going to need new policies and a strategy for avocado,” Ms. Sekitoleko said.
She urged government and stakeholders to closely monitor international market trends to ensure Uganda positions itself competitively.
Mr. Francis Kasirinya from UAA said Uganda must improve its competitiveness if it is to benefit from the expanding global avocado market.
“Nobody buys from you out of sympathy. You must meet the requirements of quality, price, and trust,” Mr. Kasirinya said.
He warned that an unstructured local market was affecting farmers, exporters, and Uganda’s reputation in international markets.
He explained that without proper market organization, farmers receive inconsistent information, exporters struggle to access reliable supplies, and the country’s brand suffers.
“Markets work best when they are organized,” Mr. Kasirinya said.
He added that improved coordination would enhance quality, information flow, investment, revenue collection, and job creation.
Meanwhile, agribusiness entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Avotein Farms Limited, Mr. Hank Dahlan, said Uganda’s avocado industry remained at an early stage compared to leading global producers.
He noted that although Uganda has favourable climatic conditions, more effort was needed to understand export markets and meet international standards.
“We haven’t started, literally. If you compare us with the largest exporters in the world, we are still very small,” Mr. Dahlan said.
He emphasized that Hass avocado was mainly an export crop and required farmers and exporters to focus on quality.
“This is a cash crop for export. It is not something where we should just assume we are doing a huge thing. We need to understand the market,” he said.
Mr. Dahlan called for improved regulation of cross-border trade and stronger farmer organizations to increase competitiveness.
He urged farmers to focus on producing quality fruits that meet market requirements.
“Do not blame exporters because you are not organized. Organize yourselves, take care of your fruits, and the market will come to you,” he said.
Mr. Richard Welisha, founder of the National Avocado Federation of Uganda and an avocado farmer, called for careful consideration of proposed regulations affecting the sector, saying farmers’ interests must remain central.
He said many farmers were concerned about proposals reportedly aimed at restricting certain buyers, particularly Kenyan buyers, from accessing Uganda’s avocado produce.
“Most of us avocado farmers are worried about those proposals in the newspapers. We call upon leaders to explain these proposed measures,” Mr. Welisha said.
He questioned whether Ugandan buyers were offering farmers prices comparable to those provided by external buyers, arguing that competition had helped improve earnings at farm level.
“Where are these Ugandan buyers paying the same or higher prices to farmers at the farm gate? Where are they?” he asked.
Mr. Welisha also raised concerns about proposals requiring buyers to operate through designated buying centres, local market dealers, or cooperatives, warning that regulations should not disadvantage farmers.
He urged stakeholders to learn from other agricultural sectors where restrictive measures affected farmers’ livelihoods.
“We have no issues with investors. Let us work together. Let the regulations come out, but let us agree and work together,” he said.
Harriet Katushabe Matsiko, an avocado farmer from Ntungamo District, shared her journey in the sector, saying she ventured into avocado farming during the COVID-19 period as an alternative source of livelihood.
Ms. Matsiko, who currently manages 60 acres of avocado, said she started with a nursery bed before expanding into production and supplying seedlings to other farmers.
She urged farmers to prioritize production as the foundation of a successful avocado value chain.
“As farmers, let us begin with production, then other things will come later,” she said.
She called on the Ministry of Agriculture to support farmers by standardizing chemicals used in avocado farming to address pests and diseases affecting productivity and quality.
Ms. Matsiko also appealed for increased investment in irrigation systems, noting that unreliable water supply remains a major challenge affecting production.
The meeting brought together farmers, exporters, processors, government officials, and other stakeholders who committed to strengthening Uganda’s avocado value chain to increase economic returns and improve livelihoods.