EDITOR: National Agriculturial Advisory Service(NAADS)have shifted from free distributing seedlings to co-fundng high-value crop seedlings of emerging high-value strategic commodities notably, macadamia and has Hass avocado under the nucleus farmer partnership strategy.
Dr Samuel Mugasi, the NAADS executive director, revealed this at a recent media breakfast engagement. He said the new strategic intervention is focusing on promoting hass avocado and macadamia farming in Uganda.
Cashew, Hass avocado and macadamia are Uganda’s emerging non-traditional cash crops grown by various categories of farmers. In most parts of the country, the climatic and soil conditions are favorable for the production of these tree crops.
Today,Hass avocado and Macadamia are grown in Kyenjojo, Kabarole,Mbarara,Wakiso and Mityana by 1,000 farmers.
The macadamia and Hass avocado strategic intervention will be implemented through the nucleus farmer partnership strategy.
The nucleus farmer partnership will be based on memorandum of understanding involving three parties: the NAADS secretariat, the nucleus farmer and the district local government where the nucleus farm is located.
“It is worth investing in macadamia and Hass avocado since it is less risky,low-cost input, low-maintenance and the market is available worldwide” according to Mugasi.
