AreaUganda

Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals

CommodityOil palm

Date01/05/2018

Policy CategoryProduction

Policy InstrumentSector development measures

DescriptionExpanded its efforts to promote oil palm cultivation across the country in partnership with UN agency IFAD and a group of private investors.

NotesThe Government of Uganda intends to expand its efforts in promoting oil palm cultivation across the country in partnership with UN-agency IFAD and a group of private investors. As part of the country’s Vegetable Oil Development Programme, oil palm cultivation has been developed since 2005 in two districts (Kalangala and Buvuma) on an area of 10 000 hectares, comprising both nucleus estates and smallholder farms. Reportedly, the project attracted multiple investments along the palm oil value chain, creating jobs and improving local livelihoods. Under a second phase, oil palm cultivation is expected to concentrate on four regional hubs, covering 43 new districts. The initiative has not been spared from scrutiny by civil society groups, which identified a number challenges regarding the project’s environmental and social sustainability.