Compiled by: Okumu Ringa Christine
ARUA CITY. Feed the future innovation lab for horticulture in partnership with Muni University and Omia Agri- business Development Group launched the three year Development of innovative horticulture technologies for improved income and livelihood among small scale women farmers in Uganda project by Professor Robert Kajobe, of Muni University.
This 3 year project is meant to transform the livelihoods, nutrition and finance independence of small scale farmers especially youth and women.
The launch of the project followed the ribbon cutting and inspection of the first of its kind off grid solar powered cool bot cold room located at Omia Agri- business Development Group meant to extend the shelf life of fresh vegetables, fruits for up to 22 days in a bid to reduce food wastage and increase Local Farmer Income.
Professor Robert Kajobe the Principal Investigator for this 3 year horticulture project said “West Nile has problem with the horticulture industry especially to do with product and productivity seeing 70% of the horticulture products are imported in the region”. He further narrated that when these products come they are laced with agro-chemicals used for preserving the life of the vegetables which is harmful for human consumption.
“we invented this project which is called the Off grid solar powered cool bot cold room pioneered by Muni University in the whole country to address the horticulture industry problems in west Nile so as to increase the production and productivity of the horticultural crops in Uganda”.
Professor Robert Kajobe, Principal Project Investigator
Dr Peninah Yumbya the manager East Africa Horticulture Regional Hub in an interview with the press, congratulated Professor Robert Kajobe whose research was chosen and awarded among the top 3 of 55 other research proposals adding that this project is aimed at enhancing the per-harvest and post-harvest of vegetables and enhancing market and market access which will in turn improve on the livelihood of women and youth farmers.
The vice chancellor Muni University Assoc. Prof. Anguma Simon Katrini stated that women play a big role in the household therefore this project is focusing on empowering horticulture small scale women farmers.
Prof. Anguma Simon Katrini also stated that stakeholders should to work together to establish a cool bot facility for the women farmer groups that are having challenges of storage in their vicinity and grant them access to the facilities at a minimal fee.
Iganacki Razaki the chief executive director Omia agri-business development group, said, “the installation of the off grid solar powered Cold bot cool room facility will enable farmers to store perishable foods like vegetables from farmers thus improving their income, livelihoods and social lives”.
This 3 year project is funded by USAID through Feed the future innovation lab for horticultureaimed at enhancing the preharvest and post-harvest of vegetables and enhancing market and market access which will in turn improve on the livelihood of women and youth farmers.
