Presented by Isiko-Nabongo StephenFounder and Managing Director

Flona Commodities ltdEmail: flona_95@yahoo.com,

Tel: +256772409557

IntroductionOverview of pineapple production in

UgandaFlona Commodities Limited(FCL)

activitiesFCL- Experience as player

Challenges using the ISO 14067 and Opportunities

RecommendationsConclusions

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Pineapple(ananus) is widely grown by small scale farmers in the central, Eastern and western parts of Uganda.

Varieties : smooth Cayenne and Victoria. Maturity period; pineapple takes 18 months Support to farmers; eg government, donors

Overview of pineapple growing in Uganda

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FLONA(FCL) ActivitiesFCL is a private limited company, registered in

Uganda in 1995 FCL owns an organic fruit processing facility

and a demonstration farm on 8 acresHas registered 300 small-growers(SGs)

growing pineapple, mango, jackfruit, papaya and apple banana in two locations in central Uganda

Recruits, sensitizes and registers SGsTrains and facilitates Certification of SGs for

Organic and ISO 14067 Procures pineapple from small scale farmers for

processing.5Flona Commodities Ltd

Flona’s activitiesCurrent position for ISO 14067

Data collection started Pre-audits, validation and Certification

foreseen in 2014

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Farmers delivering pineapple

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Flona staff weighing and preparing pineapple for drying

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Flona staff sorting and packing pineapple

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Challenges:fragmented small holder fields which

make supervision cumbersome.destruction of trees, burning of farm

wastes.Poor planting materials. Poor control of pests and diseases Unskilled own farm labor mainly by

women and children.Poor harvesting methods, transportation

and no post harvesting facilities.

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Land degradation caused by destruction of plant cover

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Challenges cont’d Disinterest of SGs in changing status quo.Poor knowledge by SGs in farm waste

managementCertification cost for individual farmers

prohibitive.High cost of buying processing equipment Poor packaging material. Use of diesel generators, charcoal and fire

wood by pineapple processors which increase carbon emission

Transportation: Uganda is land locked and uses heavy trucks and cargo aircrafts.

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Challenges in ISO14067 development the data collection based on annual production might

not reflect the real situatonSampling rule must be clearly defined with

consideration with fact that the grower has other cropsAs a result of the above challenges, meeting quality

requirements is very difficult and cumbersome. It requires:

training fragmented farmersContinuous scouting and internal Inspection External inspection and AuditCost of certification is very high for an ordinary

farmer. Besides the cost and bureaucracy in renewing certificates is high

Renewal of certification is also a challenge

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Opportunities arising from ISO 14067 Certification.Access to regional and international markets Training: farmers and stake holders are

trained in Good Agricultural practices. SGs trained in waste material management,

making composite manure, making clean energy like bio-gas and briquettes. ISO 14067 standards introduces stake holders to improved processing technologies .

Leads to emergence of agro-ecotourism and training centers

Improved social welfare of stake holders.14Flona Commodities Ltd

Training staff and farmers

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Recommendations • Continous Sensitization and training of stake holders.• Introduction of forum to offer support and advisory

services to the pineapple sector.• Introduction of multiplication centers and demo

gardens which would collabolate with the regulatory body

• Specific/improved technologies tailored and suitable for African environment (power efficient and affordable)

• Packaging materials which are qualitative and bio-degradable

• Partnership between stake holders, standards bodies and buyers 16Flona Commodities Ltd

Conclusion A strong partnership between local stake

holders, buyers and international standards bodies will create a sustainable, qualitative supply of healthy foodstuff and yet protecting the environment. It will further lead to the improvement welfare of all the players especially the small holder farmers and enhance trade globally

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THANK YOU

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