UEPB Targets Silk For Export

Othieno Odoi, Trade Promotion Officer, UEPB

Silk is a natural textile fibre produced by silk worms which feed on mulberry leaves. Sericulture as an industry was initiated in Uganda in 1986 and commercial production started in 1992. The Uganda Silk Producers Association (USPA) was formed in 1994 and received financial assistance from the European Union (EU) to promote and develop the industry and this included 22 Silk Development Centers, hatcheries farmer training etc. The sector was further strengthened with donations of processing equipment from International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology / Internation Fund for Agricultural Development (ICIPE/IFAD) which was sited in Bushenyi, and the African Development Foundation (ADF) processing machine currently being sited at Kawanda for NOBWE Silk Development Ltd.

The increased processing capacity is being matched with development of supply capacities through Community grants to 1500 silk farmers in Bushenyi and Kanungu districts with ADF support.
In light of the silk product price recovery on the world market and with such a rich production background in Uganda, UEPB made the decision to focus on the silk industry as a potential sector for export. In 2001, silk farmers were trained, supplied with planting materials
and organized into silk production villages totaling to about 334 acres. This was done with support from the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the Integrated Framework funds.

Production for export is a multi-thronged process that requires that all stakeholders along the product chain are conscious and knowledgeable of the market demands in terms of volumes and quality, and also of the need for a sector strategy. In response, UEPB organized a national stakeholders’ workshop focused on the silk industry and consultative meeting with NOBWE Silk Development Ltd., MAAIF/NARO, and local authorities in the main silk producing districts of Bushenyi, Kanungu, Mbarara, Kamuli, Mukono, and Iganga.

UEPB coordinated the development of a Silk Sector Strategy with support from the ITC, and the document is being finalized for publication.

The industry is now set for recovery and with political support, silk production will not only be instrumental in poverty alleviation, but is also a step towards diversifying Uganda’s exports on the international market.

For more details on silk production do contact;

NOBWE Silk Development Ltd
P.O.Box 7065 , Kampala – Uganda
Tel: 256 77-504952
E-mail: gershomug@yahoo.com
Contact Person: Mr. G. Mugyeni – Co-ordinator

Or

Uganda Export Promotion Board
Plot 22 Entebbe Road
Conrad Plaza, 5th Floor
P.O.Box 5045, Kampala - Uganda
Tel: 256-41-230250 / 230233
Fax: 256-41-259779
Email: uepc@starcom.co.ug
www: ugandaexportsonline.com

Contact person: Mr. Othieno Odoi