The ongoing revitalisation of Soroti Fruit Processing Factory in Soroti City is raising optimism among fruit farmers and local leaders in the Teso sub-region. The fruit plant, which faced several bottlenecks in the past, is now undergoing expansion and modernisation under the management of Chimaki Agro Limited, an Ethiopian firm, which took over management of the factory last year.

To support the modernisation, the government on Monday launched the expansion of the fruit factory by injecting more than Shs77 billion into the project.

Under Chimaki Agro Limited management, the factory has acquired more than five acres of land for expansion purposes. In addition, there are plans to procure an automated packaging machine within months. The new management has partnered with SOCADIDO to map orange and mango trees across the more than 3,000 villages in the Teso sub-region.

During his first visit recently to the factory since Chimaki Agro Limited took over management last year, the Iteso Paramount Chief, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, expressed great optimism about the expansion.

Jorem Opian Obicho, a board member of Soroti Fruit Processing Factory representing the Teso Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative Union, said the second processing line has been installed, thereby resolving the long-standing issue of alternating mangoes and oranges on a single line.

“This is a significant improvement that ensures efficiency and better service to fruit farmers,” Obicho said.

He added that Chimaki Agro Limited is adopting a holistic approach, offering training to fruit farmers in pest and disease control while at the same time reviving primary cooperative societies. Fruit-processing residues will now be used as fertilisers and animal feeds.