Background
Production of vanilla in Uganda began in the 1950’s. Levels
remained low until 1995, when vanilla was targeted
by the USAID funded Investment in Developing Export
Agriculture for promotion. From 1995 to 2003,
vanilla growing, curing and export increased significantly
in Uganda. Export figures rose from five tonnes
in 1995 to over 120 tonnes in 2003. The total
export value for vanilla is currently $25 million.
The production of vanilla is extremely labour
intensive, as it requires a great amount of crop
management throughout the growth cycle, especially
during pollination. Vanilla is also unique in
that it is one of the few high-value crops produced
by smallholder farmers.
APEP Interventions
In order
to maintain the rising production levels of high
quality vanilla, further work on production husbandry,
proper harvesting, post harvesting, processing
and marketing is needed. To achieve these and
other goals, APEP is working in partnership with
Uganda's two leading vanilla associations, the
Association of the Vanilla Exporters of Uganda
(VANEX) and the Uganda National Vanilla Association
(UNVA). The joint sector-wide program aims to:
-
Promote
increased vanilla production by training existing
and new smallholders through the demonstration
of improved production technologies.
-
Strengthen
the capacity of stakeholder associations to
improve coordination and monitoring of farmer
activities.
-
Promote
on and off farm high quality vanilla throughout
all levels of the production and processing
chains
-
Strengthen
the Ugandan vanilla industry to compete in
the world market
Support
for these objectives includes the following activities:
-
Training
of trainers workshop for vanilla coordinators
and extension workers
-
Establishment
of 60 demonstration sites in major vanilla
growing areas
-
Radio
programs in local languages to supplement
extension services
Related Vanilla Resources
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