Enhancing market access for fruits and vegetables from Uganda

Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda's economy employing over 80% of the working population1. Whilst the sector remains key in promoting Uganda's economic growth – contributing 42% of the national gross domestic product (GDP) and 80% of export earnings2 – exports of fresh fruit and vegetables were in decline as farmers failed to meet international phytosanitary (SPS) standards. Exports to the EU, which account for 60% percent of all fruit and vegetable exports, were rejected due to harmful organisms. 

With support from the Standards Trade and Development Facility (STDF) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Uganda, the government of Uganda implemented the "Enhancing the capacity of the fruit and vegetable sector to comply with phytosanitary requirements for export to global markets" project from 2019 -2022 targeted at improving the country's SPS compliance in the fruit and vegetable sector and market access to the EU and regional markets.     

Upskilling stakeholders in the Value Chain

Over the course of the three-year project, 1,400 farmers received training to manage pest threats to top commodities, including capsicum, mango, chilli, bitter gourd, garden egg and eggplant. In addition, the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification (DCIC) developed a curriculum focused on improving SPS awareness and compliance by sharing Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) related to integrated pest management3, food safety and awareness of export requirements. This curriculum continues to be distributed in collaboration with Chemiphar Uganda Ltd to help increase SPS compliance among key stakeholders in the value chain, including farmers, producers, and extension officers.

Building Partnerships with the Private Sector 

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly important in building national SPS capacity. Aliya Hajee, Director of Agricado Farms Ltd, stated her appreciation for the training offered to farmers and producers through Uganda's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO). This has helped private sector organizations meet international SPS standards, increasing their market access and revenue. Victor Lubega, Lead Mango Farmer at Afrifruits Uganda Ltd echoed this sentiment, "The NPPO has shown us how to trace pests and isolate affected plants from those that are ready for export. We have also learnt how to document and keep records of what produce has been lost due to pest infestation and post-harvest damages."

An SPS Multi-Stakeholder Platform was set up bringing together 168 individuals representing government, business and development partners to discuss partnerships and synergies in the horticulture sector. The platform will be managed by Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA). 

Digitizing the Certification Process

Before the STDF project, Uganda primarily used paper certificates for SPS certification, leaving the system vulnerable to errors and fraud. To speed up processes and improve accuracy and transparency, 25 plant health inspectors received tablets and computers to process e-certificates – called e-Phytos. As a result, the number of incorrect or incomplete documents submitted for certification reduced by approximately 66% during the project.

Enhanced Market Access

The project helped to reduce the number of interceptions affecting horticulture exports. The number of interceptions affecting capsicum exports dropped by over 90%, from 44 in 2018 to three in 2022. This helped boost the private sector, with the number of exporters increasing to 250 in 2022, compared to 67 in 2019. 

The positive results obtained through this project catalysed an additional €8 million in EU investment for capacity building in the horticulture sector. This funding will provide ongoing support to producers and farmers following the completion of this pioneering project which has set the foundation, direction, and lessons for going forward. 

"The Ministry of Agriculture pledges its support, together with farmers and extension officers, that we will do everything possible to make sure that Uganda is able to continue exporting quality produce"

Brenda Kisingiri, Senior Agriculture Inspector, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

This project was co-funded by the STDF and the Netherlands and implemented by CABI and the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification of Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, in partnership with the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance and fresh fruit and vegetable exporters.

For more information, visit the STDF website or the CABI project page

 1Source : https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html
 2Source : http://ea-agribusiness.co.ug/prospects-of-uganda-agricultural-trends-in-2015/
 3Five priority pests were identified for the curriculum: Thaumatotibia leucotreta (False Codling Moth (FCM),Potato Virus Y (PVY), Fruit flies (Dacus spp, Bactrocera spp), Helicoverpa armigera (African bollworm) and Spodpotera frugiperda (cotton bollworm)

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