President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to invest in matooke farming and value addition, saying the crop can improve nutrition, food security and household incomes.
The President made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa during the Tooke Run in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality on Saturday.
The marathon was organised by the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development and the Uganda Olympic Committee.
It was held under the theme, “Move, learn, and discover with nutrition care.”
Organisers said the run aimed to promote matooke as both a nutritious staple food and a product that can support household income growth.
Museveni links matooke to health and culture
In his speech, President Museveni said matooke carries cultural and nutritional value for many Ugandans.
“Today matooke is making history by choosing a staple food as a flagship for this international activity. It is a definition of health and culture. Matooke is not just a food but it embodies the identity of many Ugandan tribes, everybody knows matooke and this run magnifies the need for us to pride ourselves not just in linguistic diversities but also food,” he said.
The President said supporting matooke production and processing would help strengthen food security and raise incomes.
“When you run for Tooke, you promote health because food sustains us and we derive specific nutrition from matooke, in particular energy which keeps us moving on. Let us remember that we need to promote a healthy lifestyle by eating well,” he said.
He added that government-backed initiatives promoting local food production and value addition are intended to increase awareness about nutrition and wealth creation.
PIBID hailed for banana value addition
President Museveni commended PIBID director Prof Florence Muranga for championing matooke value addition in Ankole Sub-region.
“I appreciate the Ugandan sports and Olympic committee for partnering with Prof Florence Muranga to celebrate the International Olympics Day today in Bushenyi. This adds to my effort on promoting matooke as a nutritious food, but also for income generation,” the President said.
Prof Muranga thanked the President and the government for supporting scientific innovation and efforts to improve livelihoods.
“I appreciate the President and Government of Uganda for supporting this marathon and empowering scientists to see that what we do helps in addressing the challenges the country still faces. You have in particular supported us to see our products get market and recognition locally and internationally,” she said.
Farmers still face low matooke prices
The government established PIBID in 2005 to transform Uganda’s banana industry through research, value addition and commercialisation.
The initiative has supported the development of matooke-based products, including Tooke flour, Tooke biscuits and cookies, Tooke bread and cakes.
However, farmers in the region continue to struggle with low matooke prices.
During bumper harvests and the dry season, some farmers sell a bunch of matooke for as low as Shs3,000.
The challenge remains a major concern for growers, even as government and scientists promote processing as a way to increase the value of the crop.
