The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in conjunction with Makerere University, Catholic Relief Services, Enimiro Uganda and The Association of Vanilla Exporters of Uganda Limited (VANEX) have set out to award the best Vanilla growers in Uganda.
These organizations will be recognizing the best farmers in Uganda at large. However, there will also be recognition for the best farmer per region, per district. On top of that, the best female and youth vanilla farmers will also be recognized in this innovation. It should be noted that applications are already open and they will close on the 31st of October.
Applications can be collected and returned to the District DAO Offices. These can be filled either electronically or by paper versions. Farmers from the 12 target districts have been encouraged to participate. These are; Ibanda, Rubirizi, Kasese, Kagadi, Bundibugyo, Kayunga, Masaka, Kyotera, Mukono, Buikwe, Mbale and Sironko.
However there is some criteria that should be met for one to be eligible for this program and one must be Ugandan citizen engaged in vanilla grower, growers who demonstrate good agricultural practices and commitment to sustainable agriculture, and must be a small-holder grower, under 2 hectares of vanilla plantation.
There will be a cash prize of 10m shillings to be distributed among the winners of best vanilla growers in Uganda and the categories that participants will vie in for this money are as follows: –
Best grower countrywide, Best female grower countrywide, Best youth grower countrywide, Best grower per region (Western and Central). Additionally, the judges will be from staff from the Horticulture Unit of the Department of Agricultural Production (Makerere University) and MAAIF.
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They will be judging the growers based on 10 key criteria of sustainable agricultural practices from growers that are shortlisted based on their applications and initial inspections. This even is proudly sponsored by ADM, EURO VANILLE and Plantations of Distinction (POD).
