Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Deroose Plants have signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is intended to promote the exchange of information and development of specific cooperative programs and projects in areas of development, propagation, production and marketing of crops that are part of MMU portfolio and botanical garden; Linkages and exchange visits between MMU and Deroose staff; Exchange of technology, materials, publications and other materials of common interest.
The MMU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Prof. Dr. John M. Kasenene signed on behalf of MMU while Deroose Plants, Director Corporate Projects Dr. Lucas Vanhaelewyn signed on behalf of Deroose Plants. The collaboration is between the Government of Uganda, Deroose Plants and Mountains of the Moon University as the implementing body.
The MoU signing followed a meeting on 26th August 2022 between the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Deroose Plants, Dr. Lucas Vanhaelewyn, visiting partners from Ghent University, Prof. Xavier Gellynck and Prof. Pascal Boaeck, and Mountains of the Moon University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga and Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Science; Ass. Prof. Joshua Wesana at the Headquarters of the Ministry, Entebbe to further discuss the collaboration.
The proposed collaboration targets to bring Deroose’s world-leading plant biotechnology expertise, elite young plant production, and state-of-the-art field production to Uganda. The aim is to supply top-quality plantation crops to the local and neighboring markets while exporting ornamentals to Deroose’s existing global market base.
Deroose plants is a Belgium-based Multinational Agricultural Biotech Company specializing in the worldwide (in-vitro) propagation, hardening and distribution of young plants in the fields of Floriculture, Plantation crops, and fruits and vegetables.
Written by: Brens Willie Wambedde, Communications & Public Relations Officer