Uganda will stop companies from shipping raw corn that fails new safety tests. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards plans to require all exported corn to carry special quality marks and health permits. Officials want to fight dangerous mold contamination that makes people sick.
The standards agency teaches small businesses how to handle grain safely at its training center outside Kampala. Patricia Bageine Ejalu works as deputy director for standards at the bureau. She says farmers and grain dealers must learn proper storage methods to prevent harmful mold growth. Poor handling during harvest and storage creates most contamination problems.
The new rules were supposed to start earlier but officials delayed the program to train more inspectors. Government workers expect the ban to begin between July and September next year. Only certified grain dealers will be allowed to sell corn for export under the new system.
About 25 business owners attended recent training sessions on grain safety and testing. The East African Grain Council helped organize the classes for people who work with corn and other crops. Paul Ochuna manages programs for the regional grain council and says farmers lose almost half their harvest through bad handling practices.
The training teaches people how to test moisture levels and grade grain quality. Students take online courses through an American university before attending hands-on workshops. Farmers who pass the tests receive certificates that help them sell grain to bigger companies. The grain council also helps small farmers form groups that can negotiate better prices with buyers.
The standards agency teaches small businesses how to handle grain safely at its training center outside Kampala. Patricia Bageine Ejalu works as deputy director for standards at the bureau. She says farmers and grain dealers must learn proper storage methods to prevent harmful mold growth. Poor handling during harvest and storage creates most contamination problems.
The new rules were supposed to start earlier but officials delayed the program to train more inspectors. Government workers expect the ban to begin between July and September next year. Only certified grain dealers will be allowed to sell corn for export under the new system.
About 25 business owners attended recent training sessions on grain safety and testing. The East African Grain Council helped organize the classes for people who work with corn and other crops. Paul Ochuna manages programs for the regional grain council and says farmers lose almost half their harvest through bad handling practices.
The training teaches people how to test moisture levels and grade grain quality. Students take online courses through an American university before attending hands-on workshops. Farmers who pass the tests receive certificates that help them sell grain to bigger companies. The grain council also helps small farmers form groups that can negotiate better prices with buyers.
