By Steven Enatu
SOROTI CITY
The Soroti Fruit Factory has emerged as a beacon of hope for citrus farmers in Uganda, particularly in the Teso region.
This transformation follows strategic partnerships and dedicated efforts by stakeholders, including the government, Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), World Bank, and private players like Kimaki Company, led by Ethiopia’s former First Lady, Meles Zanawi.
On Friday, 25th October, 2024, engagement between factory leaders, farmers, Ministry of Agriculture and world Bank officials highlighted the growing support for the citrus sector.
During the meeting, it was revealed that 17 districts, including Lango, Nakapiripirit, and Buyende, have received funding support totaling UGX 1 billion for the upcoming orange harvest season.
This fund allocation is aimed at ensuring a smooth purchasing process, directly benefiting 4,768 farmers, of whom 97 are registered, and 11 new farmer groups are now part of the initiative.
Soroti district emerged as the biggest beneficiary, receiving 30% of the funds, equivalent to UGX 308.6 million, while Soroti City was allocated 14% (UGX 138.9 million).
Other beneficiaries include Serere (UGX 120.4 million), Kumi (UGX 92.6 million), and Katakwi (UGX 74.1 million). Amuria 64,814,815shs representing 6%, Ngora District 37,037,037Shs representing 4%, Kalaki 27,777,778shs representing 3%, Bukedea 27,777,778shs representing 3%, Kapelebyong 18,518,529shs representing 2%, Kaberamaido 9,259,259shs representing 1% and Palisa, Butebo, Buyende, Amolatar, Lira, and Nakapiripirit with total of 176 farmers all have been allocated 83,888,889shs. The monies are allocated based on the number of farmers and groups.
These funds represent a continued commitment to empowering local farmers by providing them with a reliable market for their produce.
Julius Ekomu, Chief Executive Officer of the Soroti Fruit Factory, announced ambitious targets during the engagement. He revealed that the factory aims to purchase 2,000 metric tons of oranges this season, doubling the 1,000 tons procured last year. This increase, equivalent to 2 million kilograms of juice, signifies a major milestone, showcasing the factory’s capacity to handle large-scale production.
“We are committed to supporting farmers and dispelling any misconceptions propagated by middlemen,” Ekomu said, adding that the factory plans to continue outreach efforts to educate and engage farmers across the region.
The success story of Soroti Fruit Factory is not just about increased production. It is also about effective management. Jorem Opian Obicho, Chairperson of the Teso Tropical Fruit Farmers Cooperative Union, highlighted the strategic hiring of a new management team led by Zanawi, under an agreement binding farmers, UDC, and Kimaki Company. This team, after a thorough three-month assessment, has refocused efforts on improving production and expanding market reach.
Zanawi’s leadership has been particularly pivotal. Drawing from her own background as a farmer’s daughter, she has infused passion and strategic direction into the factory’s operations. She emphasized her commitment to elevating the factory to new heights and working towards international certification standards, which had previously been a challenge. With such measures, the future of citrus farming in the Teso region looks promising.
Despite the positive developments, challenges remain. There have been reports of farmers cutting down their citrus trees due to frustrations over pricing and market access. However, Opian was quick to address these issues, urging farmers to reconsider, as this would not solve the problem. He also dispelled rumors that the Soroti Fruit Factory sources oranges from Kenya, clarifying that it has always supported local farmers.
Assistant Soroti City Commissioner, Stephen Omoding, praised the factory’s transformative impact, noting that it has significantly contributed to improving farmers’ livelihoods. “The factory has been wrongly portrayed by some political leaders, but it is actually a lifeline for thousands of farmers,” he said. “Instead of advising farmers to cut down their trees, we should be supporting the factory’s efforts to ensure sustainability and growth.”
Teso has over 8.2 million productive citrus plants in producing more than 1.2 million tonnes of oranges annually from records of 2022.
These statistics could have grown or dropped. With improvement in it’s capacity, the production has steadily increased from 300,000 tonnes to 1,000 tonnes last season, now targeting 2,000 tonnes this season.
