Did you know Uganda is known for its coffee and tea? But now they are making waves with Hass avocados and macadamia nuts! These are not just ordinary plants. They represent an uplift in the lives of farmers and the country’s economy.  Can you imagine this: under the golden Ugandan sun, farmers are planting seeds of change.

Uganda’s agricultural sector is the backbone of its economy. Over 70% of the population contributes to the GDP. Common crops like coffee and tea highly contribute to global markets. Agriculture provides farmers and diversifies the nation’s export portfolio. Uganda is gaining a new era of agriculture, and similar stories are rising across the country.

Uganda’s emerging cash crops are the story of how they bring hope and prosperity to the country’s people.

Uganda is expanding beyond coffee and tea with Hass avocados, macadamia nuts, vanilla, stevia, and chia seeds. 

High global demand has led to massive investments, with over 600,000 seedlings distributed to farmers.

Farmers are shifting to macadamia nuts for better prices and sustainability, supported by free seedlings.

Uganda’s vanilla exports hit $8.33M in 2023, while chia seeds sell for up to Shs7,000/kg due to health benefits.

With rising demand for sugar alternatives, stevia farming is growing, offering farmers new income opportunities.

In the village of Kyenjojo, Jane is a smallholder farmer. After attending a NAADS (National Agricultural Advisory Services) training session, he decided to plant Hass avocados. 

“I was not sure at first,” Jane recalls, “but the promise of better income was too good“. Today, Jane’s Farm is thriving, producing avocados both locally and internationally at a high price.

Hass avocado, often called “Green Gold”. It has become one of Uganda’s most promising cash crops. The government and private sector have heavily invested in this crop. The markets in Europe, China, and the UAE are in high demand. Since 2022, NAADS has given out over 600,000 seedlings to farmers. It also encourages the widespread cultivation of avocados​​​.

Processing facilities have also been established across the country. Avocado oil is now being exported to Europe by companies like Balaji Agro Industries, which boosts the country’s foreign exchange earnings. “The global market for fresh fruits is vast,” says Dr. Samuel Mugasi, NAADS Executive Director. He also ensured that “Farmers should not worry about selling their produce. The demand is there, and it is growing.”​

In the foothills of Mount Elgon, Daniel, a farmer, decided to transform part of his coffee plantation into a macadamia orchard. “Macadamia trees are hardy and fetch better prices than coffee,” he explains. The global demand for macadamia nuts drove Daniel’s choice. They are also known for their rich nutritional profile and uses in the food industry.

Uganda’s climate is well-suited for macadamia cultivation. These trees grow in fertile, well-drained soils and moderate rainfall. The conditions are common in many parts of Uganda. The government’s National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) has identified macadamia as a priority crop. They distributed over 137,000 seedlings and established 1,827 acres of macadamia farms across the country​​.

Macadamia farming is not only profitable but also sustainable. These trees need fewer chemical inputs. They are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making them an environmentally friendly choice. Additionally, intercropping macadamia with nitrogen-fixing plants, such as legumes, can enhance soil fertility.

The macadamia nut has become a cash crop in Uganda. Amath Farms, the leading grower and exporter, has called upon Ugandans to grab this opportunity. Amath Farms is distributing around 200,000 seedlings to farmers. The seedlings are being offered in partnership with the Government of Uganda. This initiative aims to promote macadamia farming in the country.

Shayaan Morvi, one of the managers at Amath Farm, said. “All those who want to grow macadamia are free to register with us so that they benefit from this opportunity.”

Amath is the largest macadamia farm in the country and one of the largest in East Africa. The seedlings are provided free of charge and will include extension services. He says that when sold, a macadamia seedling costs Sh10,000, and a farmer typically requires about 100 seedlings per acre. A kilogram of macadamia nuts costs between Sh3,000 and Sh4,000.

Vanilla farming in Uganda has a rich history. Uganda exported 89.038 tons of cured vanilla valued at $8.33 million by March 2023, which shows the crop’s potential. This success was made possible by Uganda’s strategic decision to set harvest dates. They ensure that only mature beans containing higher levels of vanillin reach market. This move made Uganda’s reputation as a producer of high-quality vanilla.  

Simon Musisi, former CEO of Simons Uga Limited, is a testament to the success of vanilla farming. Musisi’s company processes and exports premium-quality vanilla beans and powder. They export vanilla to markets in the USA and Europe. “At one point, I got 50 million UGX from selling vanilla in one season,” he shares. “It changed my life.” Musisi’s story highlights the impact of vanilla farming on communities

Ugandan vanilla is highly valued for its unique flavor and quality, making it demandable in international markets. Major export destinations include the USA, Indonesia, Canada, France, and countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

These days, people are becoming more health-conscious. Sugar is bad for health. There is a growing global demand for low-calorie sweeteners, driven by rising health awareness and the need for healthier alternatives to sugar. So, stevia is an excellent alternative to sugar. Uganda also called Stevia the Sweet leaf.

Julius Nyanzi is a pioneer in stevia farming in Uganda. While at the University of Makerere pursuing studies in Botany and Chemistry, he discovered stevia. Stevia’s health benefits and potential market inspired him. Nyanzi began experimenting with tissue culture techniques to propagate the plant. His breakthrough came when he successfully multiplied his first seedlings. A method he developed during his tenure at Agro Genetic Technologies in Buloba.

In 2014, he made record sales at the Uganda Small Scale Industries exhibition. This brings stevia into the limelight. Today, Nyanzi’s stevia products are in high demand both locally and internationally.​

In Kenya, for example, PureCircle collects an average of 20,000 tonnes of stevia leaves monthly from over 2,000 farmers, highlighting the crop’s potential for economic growth. Similar trends are emerging in Uganda, where farmers like Nyanzi lead the way.

Chia seeds are in high demand internationally, and they are easy to grow. These tiny seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber, which are in high demand in health food markets worldwide.

Chia plants are preferred in Uganda’s climate. The climate is making them an excellent choice for farmers. The plants need well-drained, fertile soil and can be grown organically. This not only lowers production costs but also appeals to health-conscious consumers looking for organic products. Chia seeds have a short growing cycle, allowing for multiple harvests each year, which maximizes profits for farmers​​.

Emmanuel Bazooba is one such farmer who has found success with chia seeds. He began his journey into chia farming in 2018, inspired by a friend who introduced him to the crop. Today, Bazooba co-owns a 20-acre farm and has seen his earnings increase significantly. “Chia is grown organically, with no expenditure on pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. It has a ready market both locally and internationally,” Bazooba shares. A kilogram of chia seeds sells for between Shs4,000 and Shs7,000 at farm gate prices. And clean, packaged seeds can fetch up to Shs35,000 per kilogram

The story of chia seeds in Uganda is one of resilience, innovation, and opportunity. Farmers like Bazooba are transforming their lives and communities through chia farming. Chia seeds offer a promising future for Uganda’s agricultural sector.

Uganda’s agricultural sector is undergoing a transformative shift. It is diversifying from traditional cash crops, such as coffee and tea, to various new, high-value crops. This diversification holds immense promise for the future, offering higher income potential for farmers and boosting the country’s export earnings.

The government is not only providing quality seedlings. They are also co-funding sustainable agricultural farms. For instance, under the nucleus-farmer partnership strategy, the government contributes 70% of the cost of seeds, with farmers paying the remaining 30% after harvest. This approach ensures farmers can access the necessary resources to cultivate these high-value crops.​

Farmers, smiling, gather around to share stories of their day’s work and reflect on the positive changes these new cash crops have brought to their lives. This scene, replicated across the country, marks an important chapter in Uganda’s agriculture.