Busia’s UGX18B value addition machines tested by agriculture officials

Officials from ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries have started testing the machines installed for processing grains at the Busia’s value addition factory. 

According to the officials, they want to know the sustainability of the machines and also take the samples of processed goods in the laboratory to test if is worthy for consumption.

They started by inspection of the project facility on Thursday and expect the testing of the installed machines to end on Friday this week.

The 18 billion shillings value addition project was constructed by Hebei Pingle Flour Machinery group limited. It was undertaken by government of Uganda with support from Africa development bank-AFDB under market and agriculture trade improvement program-MATIP2 and ministry of local government.

It’s a 3,000 metric tons pre-cleaning, drying and storage facility comprised of maize milling section, Animal feed mill section, Grain parking section, weigh bridge room and off loading bay for sorting maize and silo that has a capacity to store 3000 tons among others. 

The project was commissioned by President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni in December last year during presidential campaigns in the area. 

Danis Magezi, the engineer from MATIP-2 in press briefing on Friday morning at the facility board room says they expect maize mill machine to process at least 2 to 3 tons of Maize per hour, in case of any loophole, they shall ask the contractor to rectify. 

Magezi said that the samples of the processed goods from the factory shall be taken to Uganda industrial research institute for testing.

BakhaliMagemeso, the general secretary Busia produce multipurpose society limited says that the value addition will change the standard of their business by expanding the market of their maize products to foreign countries. 

He appealed to officials to speed up the processes so that they can benefit from the project.

Steven Onyango, another trader says that apart from lifting their business to standard to compete in foreign countries, the factory will also create jobs for their children.

Gorret Amaanyi, a resident from Solo village says that the factory will help in food security because the grains shall be kept in the silos for some times. 

They also expect to buy maize products processed from the factory at cheap price.