New beans harvest in Uganda.

Newly harvested beans were received in major markets. In Kampala, new yellow beans were offered at Ugx.3500-3600/kg while old stock was offered slightly cheaper. Short Nambale variety sold at Ugx.3500-3600/kg, Large Nambale beans cost Ugx.3200-3300/kg. Rosecoco beans sold at Ugx.3000-3200/kg and Masavu (sugar beans) at Ugx.3600-3700/kg wholesale price. Supply was registered from Kagadi, Hoima, Kiboga, Masaka e.t.c. Some yellow beans were also registered from Tanzania.

Several markets registered reducing beans prices. In Mbale, yellow beans were offered at Ugx.2800/kg while short Nambale at Ugx.2000-2500/kg. In Gulu, Masaka, Kyankwanzi and Tororo beans were offered at Ugx.2800-3000/kg.

At the regional border market in Busia, new beans were received. Over 600MT were bought off daily. Yellow beans were bought at Ksh.95/kg (Ugx.3325), Nambale beans at Ksh.86/kg (Ugx.3010), Red Wailimu at Ksh.72/kg (Ugx.2520), Rosecoco beans at Ksh.87/kg (Ugx.3045) and Mixed beans at Ksh.65/kg (Ugx.2275) 

The grain market registered an increment in price in the past week. In Kampala, the grain price increased from Ugx.970/kg to Ugx.1050/kg. Traders indicated that maize was scarce. The presence of some Kenyan transit traders buying only good quality maize also excited the market. Most Millers bought maize claiming there was an increase in demand for maize flour. Apparently other staple foods such as Matooke, cassava, millet, rice and sweet potatoes were available and affordable.

Medium size bunches of Matooke cost averagely Ugx.15,000-17,000 each. Fresh cassava and sweet potatoes were sold in heaps at a cost of Ugx.1,000-2,000. Millet in Kampala was almost at its lowest. Rice delivered from Mbale, Tororo, Gulu and Lira was offered at Ugx.3500/kg wholesale price in Kampala.

In the production locations such as Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Masaka, Hoima, and Mubende within the central region, the grain price was maintained at Ugx.800-900/kg. The grain price is expected higher in the following weeks to come as it gets scarce.

The Border Produce market in Busia registered a decline in maize flowing out of Uganda to the regional market in Kenya. Good quality grain was bought at Ksh.32/kg (Ugx.1120) while fair quality at Ksh.31.5/kg (Ugx.1102). The least acceptable quality usually for animal feed was bought at Ksh.31/kg (Ugx.1085). An estimated 600Mt of grain was loaded daily to the Kenyan market throughout the week. The maize was increasingly getting scarce, leading to higher market price.

The market reported receiving super rice from within and outside the country in particular Tanzania. From within, Super rice that is usually grown in swampy areas or referred to as Paddy rice was received from production locations such as Mbale, Tororo, Busoga region, Gulu, Lira, Hoima and Kihihi. The cheapest rice was offered at Ugx.2,800/kg in Lira and Gulu. In Kampala, super rice was offered at Ugx.3500/kg wholesale, however, the supply from Tanzania cost Ugx.3400/kg. It was offered at Ugx.3000/kg wholesale in Mubende, Soroti, Tororo and Mbale.

Farmgain Africa

Maize price on increase, newly harvested beans

Several stockiest started buying and stocking maize grain in a number of locations. In Kamwenge, they bought maize at Ugx.900-920/kg depending on quality. The quality was better and well dried. Millers had also stepped up their purchases for providing posho.

In Kapchorwa, where it continued to rain, the quality of grain was not yet good. Maize was offered at Ugx.700/kg at wholesale. Kampala grain market maintained maize at Ugx.950/kg.

In Busia, Maize was bought at Ksh.28/kg (Ugx.977) indicating a slight decline in the market price. The least acceptable maize quality usually for animal feed was bought at Ksh.27/kg (Ugx.942) An estimated 1000Mt of grain was bought on a daily basis at Busia Border Produce market.

Newly harvested beans were delivered in Kampala from Hoima, Mbale and other production locations that received normal to below normal rainfall. A kilo of these beans was offered at Ugx.3300 at wholesale. The old stock beans registered stable market prices in Kampala markets at Ugx.3000-3500/kg depending on the quality.

Mbale registered cheaper prices all the beans varieties, averagely Ugx.2200/kg. Harvesting beans was also reported in Kapchorwa especially for Red Wailimu beans offered at Ugx.2000/kg at wholesale.

Kabale and Rukiga districts offered very high beans price for single colour and mixed beans at Ugx.3500/kg and Ugx.3000/kg respectively.

The volume of beans delivered to Busia border produce market declined drastically to only 100Mt per day during the week. Yellow beans were offered at Ksh.97/kg, (Ugx.3385) Nambale beans at Ksh.81/kg (Ugx.2826). Red wailimu beans and mixed beans were offered at Ksh.72/kg (Ugx.2512) and Ksh.64/kg (Ugx.2233) respectively.

Other commodities demand by Kenyan transit traders at Busia included Sorghum at Ksh.25/kg (Ugx.872), Millet at Ksh.34/kg (Ugx.1186), Simsim at Ksh.140/kg (Ugx.4886), Groundnuts at Ksh.145/kg (Ugx.5060),Cassava at Ksh.22/kg (Ugx.767).    

Farmgain Africa.

High volumes of grain crossing at Busia border market.

High volumes of maize grain were recorded at the regional cross border market in Busia. An estimated 1000Mt of grain was traded daily throughout the past week. Good quality maize grain was offered at Ksh.29/kg. (Ugx.1015), Fair quality at Ksh.28.5/kg (Ugx.997) while the least acceptable quality usually for animal feeds at Ksh.22.7/kg (Ugx.794)

The grain market price increased to Ugx.920/kg in Kampala. A lot of supply was received from different production areas such as Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Masindi, Mubende and Kyegegwa. The quality had greatly improved and most grain buying houses started stocking maize in Kampala. Maize was reported cheap in Lira, Soroti and Kyankwanzi districts at Ugx.700/kg.

In the eastern region especially Teso sub region, the southern areas had completed harvesting while the upper area, harvesting was going on. Therefore preparation for, planting and harvesting were all occurring at the same time. In Masindi AfgriKai bought maize at their stores at Ugx.800/kg.

Maize trading was also reported at Mutukula where some Tanzanian traders bought maize at Ugx.960/kg.

Some newly harvested beans were received on the Kampala market from Hoima at Ugx.3300/kg. wholesale. Long Nambale was bought in Owino Kampala at Ugx.2800-3000/kg wholesale. Short Nambale and Masavu (sugar) beans were offered at Ugx.3300/kg. Mixed beans were cheap at Ugx.2700-2800/kg.

At the regional border market of Busia, less beans sale was registered due to scarcity of beans. The market here received only about 300Mt of assorted beans daily. Volumes traded have been on a decline gradually. Yellow beans were preferred at Ksh.97/kg (Ugx.3395), Nambale beans were offered at Ksh.79/kg (Ugx.2765), Red Wailimu beans at Ksh.70/kg (Ugx.2450) and Mixed beans at Ksh.65/kg (Ugx.2275).

Other commodities demanded by Kenyan transit traders included Sorghum at Ksh.25/kg (Ugx.875), Millet at Ksh.32/kg (Ugx.1120), Dry cassava at Ksh.20/kg (Ugx.700), Soya beans at Ksh.49/kg (Ugx.1715), groundnuts at Ksh.145/kg (Ugx.5075),green grams at Ksh.86/kg (Ugx.3010) and simsim at Ksh.135/kg (Ugx.4725). 

 Farmgain Africa.

Fish price declines.

In the fish market, it was reported that the fish price especially for Nile Perch declined to Ugx.6500-7000/kg at the three major fish distribution centres in town of Kireka, Bwayise and Busega. Traders attribute the increased supply to the strict laws of catching only mature fish and zero tolerance to transportation of immature fish. Tilapia weighing a kilo declined to Ugx.9,000-9,500 in the above markets. Apparently lung fish (Mmamba) was very scarce.

The maize grain market price declined in major markets such as Kampala, Lira, Gulu, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Masindi, Busia to mention a few. In Kampala’s major markets, the grain price dropped from Ugx.880-900/kg to Ugx.820-830/kg. Plenty was received from all production areas that could deliver to Kampala especially on Central and Western regions. Much of the Busoga crop headed eastwards to Busia where brisk business was also reported. The increased supply to Kampala is also attributed to the closure of Rwanda border that used to buy most of this produce currently creating a surplus heading to Kampala.

The quality is not good because of the current rains registered in most of the production locations. This situation has also sparked off spontaneous planting in order for the farmers to catch the rain which has heavily affected the quality of the newly harvested rain. The maize flour price in Kampala also declined to Ugx.1800/kg in Kisenyi Dry Grain market.

Elsewhere, in Busia, brisk business continues to thrive with an estimated 500MT crossing daily. Apparently, the price for good quality maize declined from Ksh.32/kg (Ugx.1120) to Ksh.30/kg (Ugx.1050). Most of the supply traded in this market was delivered to towns in Western Kenya from Busia to Kisumu, Emali, Bondo, Shaya, Makindu, Luanda up to Nairobi. Fair quality maize was bought at Ksh.28.5/kg (Ugx.997) registering a decline of Ugx.88/kg compared to the previous week’s price. The least acceptable grain usually animal feed was bought Ksh.27.5/kg (Ugx.962) indicating a decline of Ksh.88/kg compared to the previous week.

A lot of maize was still demanded from the Ugandan side by the Kenyan transit traders. In Kamwenge, the maize price declined to Ugx.750/kg bought off by millers. Planting was reported in this location since July to catch the rain. Beans were planted within the Matooke plantations. Less yield of maize grain was expected, likewise, from the Western region.

Good coffee harvest is expected in the near future and because of the rain, a good yield is expected especially from the Western region. In Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo, maize was offered at Ugx.770/kg and Ugx.850/kg respectively. Iganga also offered maize grain at Ugx.820/kg just like in Kampala.

There was reduced supply of beans in Kampala which gradually registered beans price at a slightly higher price. Yellow beans cost Ugx.3200-3300/kg while Masavu (Sugar beans) and Short Nambale were offered at Ugx.3000-3200/kg. Mixed beans were offered at Ugx.2500/kg from Kisoro and Long Nambale at Ugx.2700/kg wholesale.

At the Busia Border market, Sugar beans were preferred at Ksh.90/kg (Ugx.3150). Yellow beans cost Ksh.84/kg (Ugx.2940), Short Nambale a Ksh.74/kg (Ugx.2590), Wailimu at Ksh.66/kg (Ugx.2310) and Mixed beans Ksh.61/kg (Ugx.2135).

An estimated 800MT of assorted beans were bought and exported informally on a daily basis. Other commodities that were of interest to the Kenyan traders included dry Cassava chips at Ksh.19/kg (Ugx.665), Sorghum at Ksh.25/kg (Ugx.875), Millet from Soroti at Ksh.37/kg (Ugx.1295), Green grams at Ksh.94/kg (Ugx.3290), Groundnuts at Ksh.135/kg (Ugx.4725) and Simsim at Ksh.140/kg (Ugx.4900).

The beans price in Masindi swiftly increased due to the fact that farmers decided to plant as soon as the rains came down. Gulu beans price was very similar to that of Kampala at Ugx.2800-3000/kg

Farmgain Africa joins hand with Bridge-a-Life to assist smallholder farmers.

This initiative was an idea birthed by Mr. Tony Gamelin from Sarasota, Florida USA who coordinates charity work of Bridge-a-life in Uganda which is an organization helping people in need.

Farmgain Africa did avail an agronomy expert who spent 4 days teaching smallholder farmers in Mpongo village how to manage their banana and coffee plantations for maximum yields. They were also given knowledge on how to set up passion fruit enterprises.

CAPCA and CARITAS MADDO

CAPCA is the development arm of the Central Archdiocesan Province and is currently implementing CAPCA III project, a market oriented agricultural development intervention. The project covers seven agencies in the districts of Wakiso, Mpigi, Butambala, Mukono, Nakaseke, Luweero, Rakai, Bukomansimbi and Mubende districts. The project targets a total of 26 farmers Associations comprising 6,480 households as well as the surrounding communities.

Farmgain Africa is a Knowledge partner providing coffee and maize commodity price alerts using the SMS Short Message Service on 8198 short code on a weekly basis from potential commodity buying houses in Uganda to 640 leader farmers with CAPCA and Caritas MADDO.

Humid Tropics Program

In August 2015, Farmgain Africa Ltd. together with partners in the Humidtropics innovation platform in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi district successfully facilitated a negotiation between an institutional buyer (ARUWE) and farmer groups to purchase soybean which had been grown by farmers in the first Season of 2015. This is a major breakthrough in our market linkage efforts.

Farmgain Africa together with Makerere University College of Agriculture and Environment Science Makerere University Kampala (MUK), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research Institute (MUZARDI) together with several partners in Uganda are operating a platform in this program and have developed research proposals with science based and broader partnership engagement including CGIAR and local institutes and organizations to address systems innovations. The program was pioneered in Kiboga/Kyankwanzi and Mukono/Wakiso.

Humid tropics program is a global initiative that helps poor farm families, particularly led by women, in Tropical Africa, Asia and Americas to boost their income and nutrition through integrated agricultural systems’ intensification while preserving their land for future generations.

Farmgain Africa is a partner in this platform and plays the leading role of linking farmers to market by establishing operational MOUs between traders and farmer groups.

Market Research and Market Linkages

Self Help Uganda, Under the Seed enterprise development project (SEED) and the Climate change by Bee keeping project (CAB), provided Farmgain Africa with funds and implemented a training on Market information, data collection, computation, analysis and dissemination for SHA staff and enumerators from 8 farmers associations in Kumi, Bukedea, Ngora, and Kayunga districts.

It was a Training of Trainers to SHA enumerators to equip them with knowledge and skills in market information collection, analysis and dissemination to the farmers. The market information was to help farmers to be updated with marketing and market information in order to make a rightful decision during collective marketing .This idea was to be sustainable among SHA enumerators who are key implementers and have the capacity to reach to their fellow farmers in the SHA project in Bukedea, Kumi, Kayunga and Ngora.

SHA is an agricultural development project that operates in the districts of Kumi, Bukedea, Ngora, and Kayunga districts. The project targets a total of 80,000 small holder farmers in Kayunga, Kumi, Bukedea, Ngora, Nwoya, Adjumani, Amuru, Hoima, Buliisa for the strategic plan 2011 – 2015.

Market Survey and development of marketing strategy for Agency for ARIRD

Agency for Integrated Rural Development (AFIRD) with funding from GORTA is implementing food and nutrition security project in Masulita sub-county of Wakiso district aiming at building the capacity of farmers to access markets for their produce in order to obtain a strong food and nutrition security system.

It is against this background that AFIRD sought the services of a consultant to carry out a market survey and develop a marketing strategy to guide stakeholders who wish to support marketing of farm produce by smallholder farmers.

Food Price Trend Analysis and Policy Options for Food Security in Eastern Africa.

Economic Research Policy Centre (EPRC). In its quest to identify ways of addressing the adverse impacts of rising food prices, EPRC is collaborating with Farmgain Africa as their commodity market price and trends provider in Uganda. In a bid to respond to food price changes in the region the Economic  Policy Research Centre (EPRC) in collaboration with five East African research institutions  have initiated a joint  project to address food security challenges accruing from soaring food prices.

EPRC as the coordinator of the initiative in Uganda intends to enlighten policy makers about the new avenue created in which the emerging food price situation in the region  and its likely impact on the the regional food security will be assessed, analyzed and jointly understood to allow the evidence based policy decision to be made.

It is against this background that ASARECA initiated a project to examine the food price trends with in EA region and use the information generated as a tool for forecasting and designing effective food policies and strategies for the region.

Farm Radio International /African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI)

Farm Radio International in partnership with World University Service of Canada (WUSC) implement the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI) that aimed at gathering, implementing ,evaluating and sharing best practices for using radio based communication strategies to enhance food security in five countries in Africa including Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Mali and Ghana.

AFRRI offered capacity building and training for broadcasters so that they can improve their programming for rural listeners. Farmgain Africa provided information on markets and market prices for farm products and also reviewed the existing MIS programs/projects and MIS best practices know in the country then. 2009

Central Archdiocesan Province of Caritas Association (CAPCA)

Commodity market identification and Market Linkages via SMS Platform.

CAPCA granted Farmgain Africa granted funds to carry out a training intended to equip CAPCA staff and partners with practical skills required to establish and operate a community based market information system in their localities. The training workshop had 28 participants

Currently 496 CAPCA lead farmers are linked to the maize and coffee potential buying markets via SMS platform with commodity alerts from produce buyers such as Aponye Uganda,  Afrokai Uganda Ltd and Coffee specific markets like Savanah Commodities, Nucafe, Kyagalanyi, IBERO, KAWACOM and other local processors.

Caritas Maddo, Masaka Diocesan Development Organization, which a member of CAPCA is also enjoying the benefit of access to real timely and accurate buying quotes for 431 lead farmers in Masaka and beyond via the SMS platform.

Eastern Archdiocesan Development Network (EADEN) is a non-profit making church founded organisation since 2009 working with the people of Eastern Uganda to promote Socio-economic development and prosperity. EADEN is a network of Caritas Commissions in the Catholic dioceses of Eastern Uganda covering Busoga, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso and Karamoja Sub regions.

Among the targeted communities are the farmers working towards transforming from subsistence to commercial farming. EADEN is directly supporting the development of nine farmer’s association’s with a membership of 64 groups of 30 farmers each with market alerts to 100 surplus production farmers.