Unlocking the Potential of Horticulture: The Horticulture Business Conference at Gudie Leisure Farm

July 26, 2024by Alex Agaba0

On Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, Gudie Leisure Farm hosted the Horticulture Business Conference, a pivotal event aimed at unlocking the vast potential of the horticulture sector. From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the conference gathered horticulture cottage managers from districts across Uganda, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, all driven by a shared vision of advancing the horticulture industry.

Purpose of the Conference

The conference aimed to:

  • Explore the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in horticulture.
  • Foster networking among professionals and experts in the field.
  • Provide insights from industry leaders and keynote speakers.
  • Discuss strategies to enhance productivity and sustainability in horticulture.

Opening Remarks by Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza

Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza, Managing Director of Gudie Leisure Farm, kicked off the event by introducing R&G Investments Limited, trading as Gudie Leisure Farm (GLF). Established in 2009, GLF is a social enterprise that provides technical and business training to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the white meat value chain. Dr. Gudula highlighted GLF’s expansive reach, operating in 873 parishes across 33 districts, and emphasized its extensive network of 388,513 Agripreneur Champions, 55% of whom are women.

Why Horticulture?

Dr. Gudula underscored the importance of fruits and vegetables as primary sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. She shared concerning statistics about the typical consumer habits of Ugandans, including widespread micro-nutrient deficiencies and their impact on health. She also highlighted horticulture’s significant contribution to Uganda’s economy, with exports worth USD 165 million in 2022, and noted the potential of moringa as a future market leader.

Presentations and Key Discussions

Existing & Emerging Value Addition Opportunities in Horticulture
Joyce Atuhaire, AWAN Uganda’s Country Director, spoke on value addition opportunities, sharing her experience in transforming fresh fruits like pineapples into dried fruits to extend their shelf life. She encouraged the youth to start small and add value through primary processing and proper packaging, despite challenges such as limited knowledge, resources, and financing.

Horticulture Business Conference at Gudie Leisure Farm Joyce Atuhaire
Joyce Atuhaire, AWAN Uganda’s Country Director

Business Development Support for MSMEs in Horticulture
Dr. Dick M. Kamugasha, Deputy Executive Director of Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), highlighted the benefits of horticulture value addition, including higher income for farmers and job creation. He detailed UIRI’s services, such as skills development, business incubation, and commercialization support, emphasizing the importance of value addition for economic, consumer, and environmental benefits.

Horticulture Business Conference at Gudie Leisure Farm Dr Dick M Kamugasha Deputy Executive Director of Uganda Industrial Research Institute UIRI
Dr Dick M Kamugasha Deputy ED, Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI)

Product Needs and Expectations in Local Horticulture
Mr. Nicholas Atukwase from KK Fresh Produce Exporters Ltd stressed the importance of meeting market requirements for quantity, quality, and sustainable supply. He highlighted the significant opportunity presented by GLF’s presence in every region of the country, urging the youth to ramp up production.

Turning Passion Into Profit
Ms. Lilian Katiso of Maua and More Company Ltd provided a ten-step guide to transforming passion into profit, from packaging and monetizing one’s passion to branding, networking, and continuous improvement. She emphasized the importance of formalizing and professionalizing businesses to ensure sustainability and growth.

Enhancing Productivity, Profitability, and Competitiveness in Horticulture
Dr. Gabriel Ddamulira from NARO outlined best practices in the horticultural value chain, such as using quality inputs, improved production systems, pest and disease control, post-harvest handling, and value addition. He highlighted the promising potential of the horticulture industry for increasing incomes, nutrition, export diversification, and employment.

Development Trends and Strategies for Success in Horticulture
Kasango Yuda from HortiFresh Fresh Fruits & Vegetable Association discussed current trends, including increased market potential and new farming technologies. He identified challenges like limited access to finance and poor quality produce, and proposed strategies for success, such as capacity building, good farming practices, and embracing new technologies.

Building a Strong and Sustainable Enterprise in the Fruit Industry
Ms. Julian Omalla of Delight (U) Ltd urged the youth to conduct market research and produce according to demand. She emphasized the need for intentionality in fighting poverty and staying ahead of market trends.

Best Practices for Young Entrepreneurs in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Mrs. Patricia Nanteza from ChrisPA Scents and Soaps Ltd shared strategies for attracting nutraceutical companies, including product quality control, obtaining certifications, and building strategic partnerships.

Horticulture Business Conference at Gudie Leisure Farm Patricia Nanteza
Mrs. Patricia Nanteza from ChrisPA Scents and Soaps Ltd

Horticulture Value Creation and Distribution
Regina Nantege, a dietitian and nutritionist, emphasized the importance of adding value to horticultural produce and building scalable businesses. She encouraged the youth to think strategically about earning more and expanding their customer base.

Strategies for Increasing Attraction to and Consumption of Horticultural Products
Specioza Aywek, CEO of Bistro Franchise at Gudie Leisure Farm, highlighted the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and strategies to boost their consumption, noting the low consumption rates in Uganda.

Transformative Interventions in the Horticulture Value Chain
Ms. Anicia Nabukenya, CEO of Gudie Nutraceutical, discussed GLF’s interventions to support the horticulture market economy and money economy, including establishing cottage industries, creating value chain linkages, and offering financial access through agribusiness microfinance.

Success Stories

The conference concluded with inspiring success stories from youth in the Gudie Leisure Farm ecosystem. Ms. Florence Nazziwa, Mr. Bonny Kimula, and Mr. Ashraf Mbuga shared their achievements and innovative practices in the horticulture industry, showcasing the transformative impact of GLF’s initiatives.

Conclusion

The Horticulture Business Conference at Gudie Leisure Farm was a resounding success, highlighting the potential of horticulture in Uganda and the myriad opportunities available for cottage managers and youth. The event fostered valuable discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking, all aimed at promoting sustainable practices and enhancing the productivity and profitability of the horticulture industry in Uganda.

For more information about Gudie Leisure Farm and its initiatives, visit our website.

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