Hundreds of farmers and agro-processors from West Nile, Oyam, Gulu, Lira, Bugiri, Busia, Iganga, Mukono, Mityana, Mubende, Isingiro, Mbarara, Kabale, Kabarole, and other districts flocked to the SG 2000 exhibition stall and learned about the improved agricultural technologies available in Uganda during the 2012 Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show. Institutional staff, other NGOs, students, journalists, politicians and the businessmen also visited and expressed great interest on the technologies.
The annual Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show is organized by the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) to set a platform for displaying and identifying innovations/technologies made by local and foreign companies to improve production and marketing, in order to eradicate poverty. The 20th show was held from 23-29 July 2012 in Jinja, a town 81 kms East of Kampala, and source of the great River Nile. The theme of the show focused on “the promotion of smart farming for sustainable national food security, farm incomes and regional market opportunities”.
Sasakawa Global 2000 - Uganda, one of the key players in the national agricultural sector, showcased its achievements along the agricultural value chain.
A Technology Option Plot (TOP) for rice demonstrated in the exhibition ground showed different cost effective and profitable options for farmers to choose from. Farmers were informed of seed selection criteria, rate of seeding, proper way of applying fertilizers, and creation of bands for effective soil and water conservation. They were also informed how to access improved seeds and fertilizers.
A range of technologies promoted and adopted for improved postharvest handling and processing of grains, roots, and oil crops was also exhibited and demonstrated, such as:
• Maize shellers
• Cassava chipping and grating machines
• Press for de-watering grated cassava and for starch extraction
• Groundnut decorticator
• Collapsible drying bag (supplied by GrainPro®) and Supergrain bags
While explaining the features of the machines, the importance of reduced losses and improved quality were also emphasized. The collaborating women agro-processing group from the Pallisa One Stop Centre (OSCA), alongside SG 2000, demonstrated the use of cassava grating and chipping machines, and the extraction of starch from cassava. Cassava products such as flour, gali, bagia, doughnuts and biscuits were displayed and sold by the Pallisa women.
The self-propelled maize sheller was liked most by the observers as it eliminates the hardship of transporting the machine. Service providers and businessmen expressed interest in acquiring the machine; some farmers who already have stationary shellers inquired to make their units mobile.
Accessing the technologies is important, as well as, information on market outlets for the products. These information were provided by the Public Private Partnerships and Market Access Theme.
For its excellent presentation and contribution to the agricultural development in Uganda, in general, and for the good performance during the fair, SG 2000-Uganda bagged the award as 'Best Small-scale Exhibitor of the 2012 National Agricultural Show'. The award came with a Trophy and a Certificate.
The challenge now is to follow-up on these feedback and make sure that farmers access the technologies and that their products reach the market in good quality and on time.

Reported by: R. Nyamutale (Country Director) and F. Lukandwa (T2 Program Officer)