The Oil Crops initiative within Prisons Farms emerges as a strategic player in the intricate web of seed maize, maize grain, and cotton production. Designed to ensure quality assurance and bolster soil nutrients and pest management, the initiative places particular emphasis on two key crops: Sunflower and Soya bean.
Sunflower takes center stage in the oil crops initiative, notably as a cover crop, aiding in breaking the pests and disease cycles affecting other crops. Operating on a contractual basis, Mukwano Industries provides sunflower seeds to Uganda Prisons.
During the reporting period, there was a 55.7% improvement in planted acreage, with 895 acres compared to the previous year, 2022, which had 575 acres. The output also saw a 13% increase, reaching 278,082 kgs, compared to the 246,065 kgs harvested in 2022.
Harvested sunflower seeds serve as raw materials for diverse products, creating a symbiotic relationship that has cultivated success. Beyond contractual commitments, sunflower has proven itself as a significant revenue-generating crop for Prisons Farms.
