President Museveni opens pioneer banana processing plant, Ugandan student testing banana starch for pharmaceutical application President Museveni has condemned people who are arrogant and indifferent to the development of the country. Some political leaders in Uganda have practiced arrogance and are indifferent to the future of their country, he said. The President was on Monday speaking at the launching of the Technology Business Incubator Pilot Plant and Water Works in Nyaruzinga, Bushenyi District. The banana processing project has a capacity to process 960 tons of banana flour per month and an ultra-modern drip irrigation system for the banana plantation installed. The plant produces instant tooke flour for porridge and food, bakes bread, cookies and biscuits. President Museveni, who was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni, paid glowing tribute to the Director of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Research Development (PIBID), Dr. Florence Muranga for the outstanding work she has done. He observed that she has suffered at the hand of different people including characters that were not focused who, without shame, attempted to block the work that had been assigned to her. He, at this juncture, made particular reference to Members of Parliament who attempted to disrupt her work at a gathering that comprised of farmers, academicians and scientists. The President thanked the machine designers from Germany for the new venture adding that the machines were tailor-designed to banana processing. He informed the excited gathering that he personally facilitated Dr. Muranga to get a patent for the banana flour amidst numerous obstructions. President Museveni said that given the work of pioneering the production of processed bananas up to the current stage, the money that was spent is nothing. He equally commended the entire team for its input towards the success of the venture. President Museveni was pleased to note that the PIBID team has added value to bananas in an exceptional manner. These efforts have enabled our products to penetrate the world market, he said and strongly warned he would not tolerate characters that obstruct people from ushering in progress. He called on the Members of Parliament to support the banana project. He said that banana flour, which is rich in starch, can be used in the pharmaceutical industries. The Presidentbwas impressed by the fine flour from the modern banana mill ending credence to the testimonies of two women who are residents of Bushenyi district testified that the fine flour that they sampled has the capacity to churn out good end products. He said local farmers have been harvesting 5 tons of bananas per hectare per annum. He, however, noted that by following the PIBID work methods, farmers have the opportunity to increase their harvests to 53 tons per hectare per year. President Museveni directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to construct the Bushenyi - Nyaruzinga road that serves the pilot project. He also unveiled the fountain of hope for community transformation. The Minister of Gender and Social Affairs, Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut saluted President Museveni for the fundamental change while State Minister for Finance, Mr. Matia Kasaija, lauded the President for taking science and technology seriously. He promised to do his best to ensure that Prof. Murangas work is recognized. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) Dr. Frank Mabirizi said his team was honoured to deliver its accountability to the people of Uganda ever since they embarked on their assignment in 2005. Prof. Florence Muranga who is the Director of PIBID, revealed that she was overjoyed over the success of the project. She said plans were underway to establish community processing centers in all parts of the country that produce bananas. She reported that Uganda was only second to India in the production of bananas adding that she was pleased the dream to have processed and non -perishable bananas has come true. She revealed that the task at hand was to transform peasant farmers into commercial farmers adding that her team has trained 500 farmers. She also reported that arrangements are in progress to establish supply chains up to the point of exporting finished products. She said that a farmer who has one hectare of bananas and currently earning Shs.4.6 million per annum has the opportunity to increase that income to Shs.32 million annually. The representative of the PIBID farmers, Mr. Paul Bongyero, thanked the President for enabling PIBID to build the plant. He said the effort goes a long way to ensuring that farmers earn at least Sh. 20 million per acre annually. He advised PIBID officials to perform soil analyses to enable increased production of bananas.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 04:08:10 +0000
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