MAAIF and Hortifresh Partner to Tackle Rising Export Interceptions

Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) is partnering with Hortifresh to implement interventions aimed at reducing interceptions in Uganda’s agriculture product export market. This initiative includes training sessions for agronomists, focusing on the proper use of agrochemicals and strategies to minimize interceptions of Ugandan produce in the international export market.

Led by Hortifresh Association in conjunction with MAAIF, the training sessions took place on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, at the Hortifresh Secretariat Office in Mengo, Balintuma Road. MAAIF’s DCIC/NPPO Interventions involve training agronomists in collaboration with Hortifresh to empower them to assist farmers and fruit/vegetable exporters in reducing interceptions during exports.

Kirongo Patrick, MAAIF’s Agriculture Inspector, emphasized the partnership’s focus on training agronomists and exporters as vital players in the value chain. The training aims to raise awareness of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

HortiFresh, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries and GIZ Uganda, conducts targeted training sessions for agronomists representing growers and exporters of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FFV). The goal is to equip key stakeholders in the FFV sector with the necessary expertise to adhere to international phytosanitary standards and significantly reduce interceptions.

Given the surge in interceptions of Uganda’s FFV exports, MAAIF and the EU have identified root causes, including non-compliance with essential export documentation and inadequate application of agrochemicals. The training initiatives stem from HortiFresh’s report highlighting Uganda’s potential to boost FFV exports but emphasizing the need to address interceptions.

The rising interceptions pose economic challenges, leading to significant financial losses for exporters and the entire value chain. European importing countries are becoming increasingly stringent on MRLs, and vigilance is crucial for farmers to ensure the safety of their exports.

The Middle East is also intensifying scrutiny on both MRLs and quarantine-significant pests. Therefore, farmers need sufficient knowledge in agrochemical management for fruit and vegetable cultivation to navigate these challenges.