The following are investment opportunities in Agriculture Sector in Uganda
Cocoa, coffee and tea
- Manufacture of packing materials
- Establishment of soil analysis laboratory and services
- Manufacture of packing materials
- Growing of other floriculture plants other than roses
- Industry growing at a fast rate of 25% in a year
- Fruit pulp processing
- Dried fruits processing
- Mangoes farming
- Fruit farming
- Export of fruit concentrates
- Processing of fruit and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables
- Processing of organic fruits and vegetables for export
- Processing of fruit and vegetables
- Export of dehydrated fruits
- Export of fruit concentrates
- Fruit tomate paste processing
- Fruit farming
- Pineapple farming
- Mangoes farming
- Citrus fruit farming
- Dried fruits processing
- Minimal processing of fruits and vegetables
- Fruit pulp processing
Cotton and textiles
- Leather processing
- Commercial breeding and production of semen for the local and export market;
- Laboratories for disease surveillance and diagnosis;
- Local human capacity development
- Organic manure processing for local consumption
- Developing local pasture seeds instead of relying on imported seeds
- Feedlot establishment and management
- Processing of traditional beef products such as smoked, salted and sun dried meats;
- Conservation of feed (Hay and Silage) for sale;
- Beef ranching
- Tanning of hides and skins
- Construction of modern abattoirs to enable meat production and processing
- Animal feeds processing and distribution
Floriculture
Industry growing at a fast rate of 25% in a year
- Expansion of Rose industry
- Growing of other floriculture plants other than roses
- Manufacture of green house plastics
- Manufacture of packing materials
- Production of propagation materials
- Establishment of soil analysis laboratory and services
- Manufacture of green house plastics
- Manufacture of packing materials
- Capacity building
Agribusiness services
- Cold chain
- Packaging
- Cargo freight
- Inputs manufacture; e.g. tractors, vaccines, irrigation equipment, chemicals
- Agricultural Insurance
- Establishment of an agricultural bank
- Construction of warehouse chain facilities across the country.
Investment opportunities in Forestry sector
Uganda is endowed with favourable climatic conditions for forests. Even though tree growing involves long-term investment, it promises high returns for those who ensure proper management structures and technical standards.
The Sector offers numerous opportunities in areas such as timber and non timber processing for export, manufacture of high quality furniture/wood products, sawmilling, paper and printing as well as packaging. There are also opportunities in afforestration and reforestration especially of forest medicinal trees and craft material.
The specific opportunities in Forestry sector include the following
Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis (PCH):
PCH is a fast growing tropical species that is well suited to conditions throughout many parts of Uganda. It copes well with shallower soils on lower elevation sites and has proved to be very adaptable – performing well on fairly dry sites in Nakasongola, Masindi and Mayuge as well as cooler, wetter sites in Kyenjojo, Bushenyi and Mubende. PCH is easy to raise from seed though only improved seed should be used for commercial planting: such seed is available from breeding programmes in Australia, South Africa and Brazil and has been imported into Uganda since 2002. Growth rates of 15-25m3/ha/yr and rotations of 18-25 years are anticipated with good management practices and using improved seeds.
Eucalyptus grandis:
E. grandis is commonly planted for fuelwood and poles but is increasingly being recognized as a valuable source of timber too. The timber is easily worked and can be used for heavy and light construction, furniture, boxes, veneer, plywood and pulp for paper. It is easy to raise from seed and coppices vigorously when cut. It is best suited to deep soils in the cooler, moist areas – particularly in the west – around Kabarole and Bushenyi, in the Central region and in the south-west (Kabale). Mean Annual Increments of over 50 m3/ha/yr can be achieved in such areas, though an average of 25-35 m3/ha/yr is more likely.
Maesopsis eminii (Musizi):
Musizi is a fast growing indigenous species of considerable promise for timber production in Uganda. It produces a general purpose hardwood timber. Musizi must be thinned on time to produce straight timber. It is best suited towards Fort Portal and down the Albertine Rift (Masindi to Kabale). It is not suited to high and/or dry (<1200mm rainfall) areas.
Pinus patula:
An evergreen tree up to 35m and good for growing in pure stands. The wood is easily worked, fairly light and soft. The ideal area for its growth is extreme South Western Uganda with high altitude ranges.
Cupressus lustanica:
This is an evergreen tree up to 35m and good for growing in pure stands. The wood is easily worked, fairly light and soft. This does well in the humid low lands of West Nile and the South western region of Uganda.
Eucalyptus globulus:
This is a tall tree to 55m. The wood is hard, heavy and strong. Best suitable for upland and high rainfall areas of Uganda.
Teak (Tectona grandis):
This species is best suited for the low altitude sites in northern Uganda.
Other species:
Araucaria (A. cunninghamii & A. hunsteinii) and Terminalia spp. ( T. superba & T. ivorensis) have shown promise on very good sites, with high rainfall and deep soils. There are also other species that have shown promises in trials are Eucalyptus hybrid clones, Cedrela odorata and Pinus tecunumanii.
Planting of soft wood plantations for timber and poles
Production of round wood for timber from plantations has given an important alternative to indigenous timber in Uganda. There is also high demand for electric and building poles.
Planting of soft wood plantation for pulp
Most of the paper products in Uganda are imported. With the healthy investment climate in Uganda and the potential to produce timber for pulp at lower costs, investing in paper industry is indeed an attractive investment.
Value added products from both hard and soft wood
Furniture: The demand for high quality furniture in Uganda is high.
Flooring and panelling:
The construction industry in Uganda has expanded manifold over the years and the demand for good flooring is on a rise.
Veneer and plywood:
Growing demand can be seen in Ply wood manufacture in Uganda.
Particle board mill from saw dust:
The saw dust from most of the saw mills is wasted and contributes to fires in forest reserves. A particle board mill will add much value to the saw dust.
Match factory:
The timber not suitable for construction can be utilised through setting up match factories.
Pencil factory:
A pencil factory is also another investment opportunity to trap the ever increasing demand from schools in line with the government policy on Universal Primary Education.
Seed Multiplication for sale:
Such seeds include pine (Pinus caribaea, Pinus oocarpa) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis).
Other opportunities
- Honey processing for export
- Cassava processing for industrial starch both for local and external markets
- Packaging of beans and pulses for export.
- Public Private Partnership investments in the enhancement of maize, beans and rice production for export regionally and provide for household food an security (machinery and agro inputs provision)
- International and national bidding opportunities for the establishment and rehabilitation of irrigation schemes in partnership with the Government of Uganda
sources
http://www.ugandainvest.go.ug/index.php/key-sectors
http://www.emrc.be/documents/document/20101125153530-session_viii_-_hope_mwesigye.pdf