George Aine
A machine that makes juice out of sugarcanes is one of the highlights of the 26th edition of the Source of the Nile agriculture tradeshow currently taking place in Jinja.
The machine is being used by Mariam Namuli, a 22-year-old graduate of Human Resource management from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
Ms. Namuli explains that it only takes her two minutes to make a 3-liter jerry can of sugarcane juice.
“I start by peeling about 5 average sized local (red) sugarcanes, cut each to about half a meter long and then pass it through the machine,” she says.
“The machine shreds it while squeezing out the juice which drips into the container through an inbuilt sieve. From there, I collect it and serve it to customers without adding anything. Since it is from sugarcane, there is no need to add any sugar though I add flavors like ginger and lemon for those who want,” she says, adding that plans are underway to add other flavors like vanilla and apple to the juice.
According to Ms. Namuli, the sugarcane can be shredded and squeezed with the peels on, describing it as ‘more nutritious’ but understands her customers’ needs whom she says are used to first peeling the sugarcane before eating it.
The sugarcane juice-making machine was showcased at Jinja agriculture tradeshow
As a way of serving her juice cold, Ms. Namuli says she occasionally peels the sugarcane and keeps it in a fridge to freeze in some circumstances so that by the time the sugarcane is squeezed into juice, it is cold.
Ms. Namuli discovered the technology in Brazil where she had gone to visit her brother.
“When I got to Brazil, I found that sugarcane growing was booming and many people were making a decent living off selling sugarcane products and home-made confectionaries,” she said.
Adding: “My brother then advised me to start something up back home; and with a capital of Shs20m, mainly from him, I bought this machine and started making sugarcane juice about three weeks ago.”
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Ms. Namuli says from this business, she has managed to assert her independence.
“I can now employ myself as well as employ two other workers; I have, through various interactions, got better ideas on how I can grow the brand and business. For example, people are suggesting ways in which I can add preservatives to the business so that I can supply the juice to supermarkets since currently, we are currently selling ready-to-drink juice,” she said.
A half-liter glass of Ms. Namuli’s juice goes for Shs2,000 while a 20-liter jerrycan goes for Shs200,000. Since the agricultural show started on July 13, she makes a profit of Shs200,000 per day, projecting the figure to rise to Shs500,000 per day because: “I have made Shs500,000 per day before during the Buganda expo and I am sure I can make it here as well.”
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