A big bunch of matooke in most markets in the Kampala Metropolitan Area costs between shs20,000 to shs30,000, while the smaller bunches cost between shs10,000 and shs18,000. The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has pledged to harness opportunities for value addition along the Matooke (banana) value-chain, as government looks to mechanization and modernization of agriculture in order to boost the sector’s profitability.

“Processing matooke into different products would address the largely subsistence nature of agricultural production and help address the current nationwide fall in banana prices”. Fresh Bananas can be processed into Tooke flour used for instant porridge, baking flour and making biscuits, cakes and cookies. Farmers are encouraged to work hand in hand with PIBID management to add value to their bananas and avoid losses,” Ssempijja said.

MAAIF in collaboration with the United Nation’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is currently implementing the Banana Livelihood and Diversification project in eight Districts within Ankole sub-region, where they are supporting cottage level banana processing activities.

Investors are welcome in Banana value addition even as farmers have been advised to take full advantage of necessary technical advice from Agriculture Officers. This Financial Year 2022- 2023, government allocated Shs 300bn to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).