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Grow mairungi to boost household income, says Buganda minister
The Buganda Kingdom junior local government minister, MrJoseph Kawuki, addresses residents at Budde Sub-county headquarters in Butambala District last week. Monitor Photo
BUTAMBALA. Growing of khat commonly known as mairungi on a large scale can boost household income, a Buganda Kingdom minister has said.
Mr Joseph Kawuki, the junior local government minister, expressed concern that many farmers in Butambala District, where the crop is predominantly grown, had abandoned it and opted for ginger.
He said mairungi growing is less costly compared to gingers that require a lot of money to realise good yields.
“Don’t fear to do it as a business. It is not illegal although it is abused by some users. It can boost both household income as well as bringing revenue to the district,” Mr Kawuki said last week while addressing residents at Budde Sub-county headquarters.
‘Money maker’
This was during the installation of Ms Jaliyah Sseguya as Kabaka’s representative for Budde Sub-county.
In Mr Kawuki’s assessment, mairungi is one of the few agricultural activities where a farmer can earn Shs500,000 a week.
The Butambala County MP, Mr Muwanga Kivumbi, who also attended the function, said government should not ban cultivation and use of mairungi, adding that it is the major cash crop for his people.
However, he urged parents to guard against their children abusing the crop, warning that it has adverse health effects when abused as is the case with alcohol and marijuana.
A small bundle of about 50 mairungi leaves, weighing under 60 grammes, costs Shs1,000.
