agriculture 8 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kabale Farmers Transform Steep Slopes into Profitable Pineapple Plantations
Farmers in Kabale District's Maziba Sub-county have successfully cultivated pineapples on challenging, steep terrain by employing meticulous soil conservation techniques like trenching and mulching. This agricultural success has not only boosted local livelihoods but also spurred government investment in value addition. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/farming/how-maziba-farmers-turned-kabale-s-treacherous-slopes-into-pineapple-haven-5551250
For years, the residents of Maziba Sub-county in Kabale District have faced the daunting task of farming on precipitous slopes. However, a dedicated group of nearly 1,000 farmers has turned these treacherous hillsides into a haven for pineapple cultivation, establishing it as their primary cash crop.
Central to their success are sophisticated soil conservation methods. Farmers meticulously dig trenches along hilltops and valleys, followed by heavy mulching. These practices are crucial for controlling soil erosion and managing runoff during the heavy rainy seasons, making pineapple farming viable on the steep terrain. George Akankwasa, chairperson of the Maziba Pineapple Growers Association, emphasizes that without these techniques, sustaining a pineapple garden in the area would be nearly impossible.
Akankwasa, who began with less than an acre in 2000, now manages approximately 10 acres. He harvests around 10,000 pineapples monthly, earning between Shs300 and Shs500 per fruit. The crop’s consistent yield, supported by organic manure from livestock, provides year-round income. The labor-intensive nature of the work has also created employment for about 40 casual workers weekly, who assist with tasks ranging from mulching and weeding to harvesting and transporting the fruit.
Despite challenges such as theft, pests, diseases, poor roads, and price fluctuations, the pineapple enterprise has significantly improved the lives of many. Akankwasa has been able to expand his landholdings, fund his children’s education, and build a permanent home. Casual laborers like Denis Byaruhanga find consistent employment, earning approximately Shs14,000 daily for carrying pineapples from the hillsides. Local vendors also rely on the steady supply of pineapples to sustain their businesses.
The sub-county chairperson, Onesmus Mutungye, highlights the positive environmental impact, noting that pineapple foliage and roots help stabilize the soil. He also points to the visible economic development in pineapple-growing parishes. Mutungye advocates for increased government support for the local pineapple wine processing plant, believing that investing in value-addition technologies and operationalizing the factory would stabilize markets and insulate farmers from price volatility.