mcu

Kitoma Hass Avocado Project

MCU

Kitoma Hass Avocado Project

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Projects Information

With COMESA EAC Horticultural Accelerator project, MCU has expanded it’s Hass orchards from 15 acres to 25 acres and promoted Hass farming among out growers in greater Masaka.

Project Details and Implementation

🥑 Project Details and Implementation

Diversification Goal: The project aims to reduce members' reliance solely on coffee and provide a lucrative alternative crop for the highly demanding export market (Europe, Middle East, etc.).

Support and Farmer Engagement

Quality Inputs: The Union ensures farmers receive high-quality planting materials, addressing the common farmer complaint about buying fake seedlings that leads to significant losses

Export and Market Potential

The MCU's ultimate goal for the Hass Avocado Project is the same as for coffee: collective marketing and export

Technical Support

MCU is actively recruiting specialized staff, such as an Agricultural Extension Officer, to provide dedicated technical support and training to farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Hass avocado cultivation.

Seedling Source

It supports the production and distribution of hybrid, quick-maturing, and pest-resistant Hass avocado seedlings to affiliated farmers.

Quality Inputs

The Union ensures farmers receive high-quality planting materials, addressing the common farmer complaint about buying fake seedlings that leads to significant losses.

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Project Details and Implementation

The Kitoma Hass Avocado Project is a major diversification and income enhancement initiative undertaken by the Masaka Cooperative Union (MCU). It represents the Union’s strategic move to capitalize on the high-value global demand for Hass avocados, which is currently a key focus of the Ugandan agricultural sector.

 Project Details and Implementation

  • Diversification Goal: The project aims to reduce members’ reliance solely on coffee and provide a lucrative alternative crop for the highly demanding export market (Europe, Middle East, etc.).
  • Focus Crop: The project exclusively promotes the Hass avocado variety due to its superior qualities for export, including higher oil content (around 10% compared to 3.5%–7% for local varieties), longer shelf life, and international preference.
  • Model Farm: A model forest with over 12,000 Hass avocado trees has been established at the MCU’s Kitoma Farm site in Buwunga Sub-county, Masaka District. This farm serves two critical purposes:

Hass avocado kITOMA PROJECT