The Diocese of Kigezi, in partnership with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), has launched a Hass Avocado program aimed at transforming household incomes and improving livelihoods across the region.
The initiative, unveiled at St. Peter’s Cathedral Rugarama on Thursday under the theme “Make Hass Avocado the Main Cash Crop of Kigezi by 2035 – Let’s Start the Journey Together,” seeks to make avocado farming a key driver of economic growth in Kigezi.
According to Rev. Can. Milton Nkurunungi, the Diocesan Secretary, the program targets at least five Hass avocado trees per household, with the goal of enhancing food security and income generation for local communities.
He noted that while Kigezi has long lacked a reliable cash crop, the region’s favorable climate and fertile soils make it ideal for avocado cultivation.
“Hass avocado takes a relatively short time to start bearing fruit, and the demand is high both locally and internationally,” Rev. Nkurunungi said, urging households to embrace the opportunity to transform their livelihoods.
Speaking as chief guest, Dr. Rolland Agaba, Acting Director at NARO’s Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, said the program comes at a crucial time when Kigezi is grappling with challenges such as landslides, soil erosion, and the absence of perennial income-generating crops.
He emphasized that according to the poverty index, Kigezi ranks as Uganda’s second-poorest region, which makes initiatives like Hass avocado farming vital for economic empowerment.
“With the right support and guidance, Kigezi can become a hub for avocado production, creating jobs, boosting household incomes, and contributing to Uganda’s export earnings,” Dr. Agaba noted.
The program will provide training, seedlings, and technical support to farmers, helping them acquire the necessary skills to manage and maximize yields.
It will also establish market linkages to connect Kigezi’s avocado producers to both local and international buyers, ensuring that farmers earn sustainable income from their produce.
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