In Uganda’s agricultural sector, a quiet revolution is underway, driven by the passion and dedication of Catherine Aturinda, a clinical researcher, nutritionist and agricultural enthusiast.
As a nutritionist and founder of Nouri-Mix Porridge, Aturinda has always been driven to make a positive impact on people’s lives, and her work in value addition is doing just that.
Adding Value to Pineapples
One of Aturinda’s most successful projects is adding value to pineapples, a crop that is locally grown in abundance in Uganda. Through working with Community Women’s Enterprise Network, an organisation founded by Hadija Nankanja, Aturinda and her team have developed innovative ways to process pineapples into juice, ice-pops, and other products. This value addition has created new economic opportunities and provided a market for local pineapple farmers.
Some of bi-products from Pineapples include;
Pineapple Juice: Fresh or canned juice extracted from pineapple pulp.
Pineapple Ice Pops: A sweet pastry filled with pineapple jam or curd.
Pineapple Jam/Jelly: A sweet spread made from pineapple pulp, sugar, and pectin.
Pineapple Chunks: Canned or frozen pineapple pieces used in desserts, salads, and savory dishes.
Pineapple Rings: Sliced pineapple rings, often canned or frozen, used as a topping or ingredient.
Pineapple Sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce made from pineapple juice, sugar, and spices.
Pineapple Vinegar: A type of vinegar made from fermented pineapple juice.
Pineapple Wine: A sweet, white wine made from fermented pineapple juice.
Pineapple Fiber: A dietary fiber supplement made from pineapple pulp and peel.
Pineapple Powder: Dehydrated pineapple pulp used as a flavoring agent or ingredient.
Pineapple Leather: A sustainable, vegan-friendly leather alternative made from pineapple leaves.
Pineapple Ice Cream: A creamy dessert made from pineapple puree, cream, and sugar.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake: A classic dessert featuring caramelized pineapple rings and cherries.
Empowering Women through Value Addition
Aturinda’s work goes beyond just adding value to crops; it’s also about empowering women. Through workshops organised by the Community Women’s Enterprise Network, she has equipped many women with the skills and knowledge to add value to their crops, providing them with a source of income and economic independence. This approach has the potential to cause significant economic transformation in Uganda, particularly in rural areas where women are often the primary caregivers and economic drivers.
Economic Transformation through Value Addition
Aturinda’s value addition projects have the potential to cause economic transformation in Uganda in several ways:
Job Creation
By creating new products and markets, Aturinda’s projects are generating employment opportunities for women and youth in rural areas.
Increased Income
By adding value to their crops, farmers are able to earn higher incomes, improving their livelihoods and contributing to economic growth.
Market Development
Aturinda’s projects are creating new markets for locally grown crops, providing farmers with a stable source of income and encouraging them to produce more.
Improved Food Security
By processing and preserving crops, Aturinda’s projects are helping to improve food security, particularly in rural areas where access to nutritious food can be limited.
Aturinda’s work in value addition is a shining example of how innovation and dedication can drive economic transformation. By empowering women, creating new markets, and adding value to locally grown crops, Aturinda is helping to build a more prosperous and food-secure future for Uganda.