Gov't Declares Vanilla Harvest Season
The ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries has declared the Vanilla harvest date which will start 27th December 2024.
The harvest date is a date when the Vanilla growers should start harvesting their Crop in a given Season.
"It is now five years since my Ministry spearheaded this initiative. The declaration is preceded by critical activities such as; vanilla maturity survey which encompasses observational, analysis of pollination data, vanillin and moisture content laboratory tests, thermal time analysis and gathering of opinions".Said (Maj Rtd) Fred Bwino Kyakulaga the Minister of State For Agriculture.
"A vanilla bean is mature nine months after pollination. Vanilla flowering and pollination takes place over a period of three months and therefore the harvest of mature vanilla is expanded within three months in any given season. The start of flowering and pollination also slightly vary in country this is attributed to the differences in weather patterns across the county. However, scientifically, other factors such as Thermal temperature, Vanillin Content and Moisture Content may influence Vanilla maturity in several locations hence causing slight variations in the harvest time. I wish to further guide that; growers should harvest only fully mature and ripe vanilla beans- adhering to the approach of selective harvesting of only mature beans. I call upon everyone to be vigilant and work together to address the challenges in the vanilla sub-sector in order to build a vibrant, resilient, profitable and sustainable vanilla Industry in Uganda and to position Uganda as a leading producer and number one destination for high-quality vanilla in the global market".He added.
" I hereby declare that vanilla harvest period for Season B, 2024 WILL START FROM 27 th DECEMBER 2024 AND WILL RUN UPTO 27 th MARCH 2025. Growers should selectively pick mature or ripe vanilla beans. My Ministry will take strong and punitive action against anyone found harvesting, or in possession of vanilla beans before the stipulated date or in possession of green beans at any one time. I further direct the staff at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the District Local Governments to be vigilant, supervise and monitor all the processes of vanilla harvest and trade during the period".The Minister Declared.
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