Fruit and Tubers Farmers Group

 An exciting Investment Opportunity for an Exporter/Food Processor

The Fruits and Tubers Farmers Group (FTFG) a community project located in Minani Parish, Namalemba sub-county, Iganga District have taken an innovative approach to fight poverty and conserve their environment through planting improved mango varieties for export. The location boasts of ideal conditions for growing mangoes with good annual rainfall and highly conducive soil conditions. The group currently has 53 registered members of whom 20 are women.

The farmers have planted an initial 50 acres with 2143 trees of export varieties. These include Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Palmer Apple Mango and Bire. They are targeting exporting fresh organic mangoes mainly to the European and Middle Eastern market. It is anticipated that the 50 acre plantation will have a commercial yield of approximately 340 tonnes by April 2006 increasing to about 8,800 tonnes by the year 2010 with an expanded acreage of 275 acres in the next 3 years. As for the future outlook they plan to embark on beekeeping to produce high quality honey for the domestic and export markets.

The project has a lot environmental benefits as well. The plantation will contribute 275 acres of trees which will assist in the absorption of carbon dioxide emissions. Encroachment of the wetlands will be reduced as the farmers who were originally cultivating the adjacent wetlands will be involved in the mango plantation. In terms of economic benefits, the projected estimated life of 20 years will provide at least 5250 man years of employment which will assist the rural population in alleviating poverty and contribute to the national economy by increasing the foreign exchange earnings. 

The FTFG is now seeking an investor/exporter who would be willing to enter into a long term agreement to purchase, process and market the mangoes. To enter into a successful agreement the FTFG expects the investor to meet the following criteria:

• An initial investment of USD 35,000.
• The investor a should be willing to buy  and market the entire quantity of mangoes and other inter-cropped produce;
• Willingness to provide extension services as part of the package;
• Willing to enter into a long term agreement;
• Willing to make future expansion and improvement of infrastructure;
• Have some experience in horticultural exports;
• Sound financial background, reputable business operations (Provide references fro bankers, auditors, documentation, also allow visit to the business premises);
• Willing to employ local labour if and when appropriate;
• In principle, willing to sell shares to the farmers in the local operations after a mutually agreed period; and
• Meet costs of organic certification and inspection.

if you find this an interesting opportunity click here to download Proposal  and cashflow or

contact us at info@enterprise.co.ug for more information.

Farmers admiring the future "cash cow"	The Chairman and Project Coordinator Mr. Moses Wanume inspects the plantation and gives tips to a member
	The FTFG members pose for a group photo

Contact us on: Tel: +256(075)645298 E-mail : info@enterprise.co.ug

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"Our business handling horticultural products  is sensitive with many constraints: production, marketing of agricultural crops in a landlocked country with low levels of technology. The training of Enterprise Uganda offered us the opportunity to understand the do's of making such a business venture successful. It emphasized the importance of a business plan which is a very important objective and management tool for running the business successfully."

Richard Bakadde

Project Coordinator, COMFARNET CONSULT Kampala