Can oil palm plantations be introduced to Uganda’s tropical forest islands?
The introduction of oil palm to Uganda¡¯s tropical forest islands in Lake Victoria ¨C a review of experiences and proposed next steps. pp5-18, In: Ssemmanda R, Opige MO (eds.), Oil palm plantations in forest landscapes: impacts, aspirations and ways forward in Uganda. Wageningen, the Netherlands: Tropenbos International.
Why is Uganda interested in palm oil?
The Government of Uganda¡¯s interest in the development of palm oil partly originates from the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and the government¡¯s Vision 2040, National Development Plans, the National Agriculture Policy (NAP), and the Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (ASSP).
Where is oil palm grown in Uganda?
The best area for cultivation of oil palm in Uganda was found to be the Lake Victoria islands, notably the Ssese Islands (IFAD, 1997). Since 1998, the Government of Uganda has invested in domestic production and processing of vegetable oils to meet the increasing national demand.
Should Uganda develop palm oil for import substitution?
As such, there is growing interest by the Government of Uganda in developing palm oil for import substitution, and the fact that production from even poor yielding oil palm substantially exceeds that from a similar area of annual oilseed crops.