Abstract:

Most of our traditional cash crops especially coffee and cotton which we have been most dependent upon for export have been subjected to wide fluctuations in production and price due to unpredictable weather conditions and the instability of world prices. In such situations, the government policy of diversification of agricultural production emphasizes the urgent need for reorganization of an agricultural production through importation or introduction of new improved crop varieties and better methods of production. There are many horticultural crops which should be improved and cultivated to such standards that they can fetch this country substantial amounts of foreign exchanges. The Commercial passion fruit industry in this country is relatively new and most of the farmers lack authoritative and authentic information on the best methods of production. As agriculturists we recognize the great importance attached to the farmers’ needs hence this booklet has been designed to introduce the farmer to the basic requisites for better methods of production. It can be used in production of passion fruit in Uganda by farmers and it is recommended for students in the study of passion fruit production. This booklet discusses the plant forms and day to day problems being encountered by the farmer. It covers the most interesting survey of crop management and marketing. There are quite a good number of new chemicals which date have bee introduced onto our markets which can be used in passion fruit production. Some of these chemicals might prove to be harmful to the vines if not properly used. In order to avoid disappointments farmers are urged to make use of the existing facilities at Kawanda Research Station to secure information on proper use of these new chemicals. Soil analysis facilities are also available at the station which farmers should not ignore 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.