UK potato supplier invests USD 12,707 to boosts Ugandan potato farming

UGANDA – Branston Ltd, a UK potato supplier, has donated GBP 10,000 (USD 12,707) to aid potato production among farmers in Uganda in a move to support local agriculture.

This initiative aims to enhance food security and income in the community around Alito, an agricultural college in Uganda.

Branston’s donation is part of a broader effort to support Alito Agricultural College’s mission of building farming capacity in the region. Alito has been training local farmers, especially focusing on young people and women with children, to grow Irish potatoes effectively.

“This is a great project and a fantastic opportunity for us to give back to the local community at Alito and improve food security and income,” said Ian Arnold, Branston’s Interim Project Manager, during a visit to oversee land preparation and planting.

The college provides students with practical experience by allowing them to witness the growth of the first crop and then giving them 5kg of potato seeds to take home after graduation.

The seeds are from a new variety not yet cultivated in the area, which promises to diversify and improve the local potato yield.

In addition to financial support, Branston will construct two 2,000 cubic meter water lagoons for irrigation. The company will also conduct trials on a test site, which will serve as a teaching plot for students.

These trials will explore the use of fertilizers, new potato varieties, and advanced planting techniques. “We have committed to providing three years of training with Alito as we are eager to continue supporting and educating the local community over the coming years,” Arnold added.

Most of the potatoes planted so far are of the Rwangume variety, developed specifically for African climates. Branston is also testing European varieties such as Arizona and Markies to see how they fare in Uganda’s warm temperatures, which average between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius.

Cross-border trade tensions

Meanwhile, across the border, the potato trade between Kenya and Uganda has faced challenges. The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) recently announced that Uganda agreed to reduce the clearance fees for trucks ferrying potatoes from Kenya.

This decision came after the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) had significantly increased the fees, leading to a standstill at the border.

Originally, the URA had raised the clearance fee from Ksh15,000 to Ksh50,000, causing financial strain for Kenyan traders and truck owners. This increase was part of a broader strategy by the Ugandan government to protect local farmers by taxing imported goods more heavily.

However, after advocacy efforts by KNCCI and other stakeholders, the fee was reduced to Ksh25,000.

“KNCCI Advocacy desk is happy to report that the clearance fee for trucks carrying potatoes from Kenya to Uganda has been reduced from Ksh50,000 to Ksh25,000 following tireless advocacy efforts,” KNCCI announced.

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