The fate of citrus farming in Teso sub-region hangs in the balance. The government and its donor partners zoned Teso sub-region as a citrus growing area, which was boosted with the construction of a mega fruit processing plant, the Soroti fruit factory. The factory, whose product Teju (Teso) Juice went commercial after President Museveni commissioned it in 2019, has since gone silent. The farmers now say they have not had any return on investment.
David Ebulu, a citrus farmer in Ojama Parish in Ochokican Sub-county in Soroti District, stated that there is nothing tangible that has changed since the government operationalised the fruit factory. “I expected to see them coming around to buy as well as provide some extension services for quality products,” Ebulu said.
A citrus farmer with 3,000 orange trees in Asuret Sub-county in Soroti, said the government has failed to provide ready market for their products. “The factory plan has lost meaning and middlemen have taken advantage of us,” he said, adding that middlemen connive with Kenyan businessmen to frustrate local farmers.
Source: monitor.co.ug