Abstract:

The consumption of passion fruit juice and other related products is expanding in
Uganda and also on the world market. The passion fruit industry in Uganda appears to
have a bright future particularly where the crops have proved beyond doubt that it can
thrive in different ecological zones. Markets prospects for passion fruit juice are
excellent in the fast growing blended juice trade. A small quantity may give either the
characteristic flavor of the passion fruit or it may enhance the other fruit flavours of the
blended product. The flavouring trade is another promising outlet for passion fruit since
the juice has equally good acceptance as a flavoring in soft drinks and in the baking
industry.
In addition to being a potential export product the juice is very popular among Ugandan
mothers since they believe that it can be used to rehydrate children, who are suffering
from measles, diarrhea and vomiting. The seed of the passion fruit contains a very little
oil which is suitable for use in the paint industry, and the hard outer skin, the rind can be
made into fertilizer.
The market prospects in Uganda may be significantly improved by the development of
new processing procedures, by the discovery of new products and the establishment of
processing plants. It is here that, the development of a fruit preservation plant at
Namanve by Coca-Cola has deserved special attention our predominantly agricultural
economy since it will go a long way to sustain this viable industry.
Variable yields, due to irregular fruit setting and plant losses in the hybrid varieties, are
the main factors limiting expansion. In most districts seedling vines have a comparative
short commercial life, owing to the incidence of wilt, brown spot and woodiness
diseases.
Passion fruits are woody climbers. And for this reason they are best grown on trellises.
The plants are characterized by fairly large-lobed or entire leaves. Tendrils at the nodes
support the vines as it climbs. The flowers are large and conspicuous with a crown of
numerous threat like rays and varying combinations of colours in which purple
predominates. They depend largely on insects for pollination. In some species the pollen
ripens before the stigma of the same flower are ready to receive it. Hence fruit set
depends on cross pollination.
Under Uganda conditions cropping is seasonal depending on the date of planting. There
are generally two main harvesting seasons, with intermediate off-season crops. By
judicious pruning, the period of cropping may be controlled and extended within
required limits.
There has been considerable doubt concerning future reliability of the source of supply
of improved planting materials. Support of the research work being carried out at
National Crops Resources Research Institute. (NaCRRI) Namulonge, however, shown
determination and willingness on the part of the Government to develop fruit
production as a small-holder cash crop enterprise.
A substantial passion fruit industry could be developed when a more reliable source of
supply of uniformly high quality fruit is obtained. This is not possible with the planting
inferior seedlings. Only if vegetatively propagated varieties are grown in properly
cultivated orchards and attention can be given to cultural practices such as fertilizing
and spraying will the prospects for the industry improve.