Uganda enjoys increased capacity to access more profitable regional and European markets

Uganda is enjoying increased capacity to access more profitable regional and European markets for its fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to a project aimed at helping the country comply with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements.Uganda is now exporting 5.8 million tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables worth US$35 million a year – second only in Sub-Saharan Africa to Nigeria which produces around 11 million tonnes a year.Delegates at an end of project seminar – held recently in the Uganda’s capital Kampala – heard that 1,400 smallholder farmers have been trained on SPS compliance to facilitate trade on goods including chillies, jack fruit, mango, basil, bitter guard and okra.The training emphasised the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), food safety and awareness of SPS export requirements. A total of 70 Inspectors and Commissioners have also been equipped with tools to conduct their work – such as inspection kits and personal protective clothing.Crop pests and ...