Aloe Cure – Carefully the best In 2004, a national export promotion policy from the Ugandan government encouraged several farmers to start growing high value crops like Aloe Vera. Unfortunately, no attention was being paid to the processing and marketing of Aloe Vera, leading to several hundreds of disappointed farmers who now leave their Aloe Vera fields be.In this project, a factory for processing Aloe Vera leaves into gels, drinks and lotions has been established in order to finally give these farmers access to market.The applicant in this project is Rossen Seeds B.V. from the Netherlands. Rossen Seeds B.V. is a breeding and production company for vegetable seeds, who is always on the lookout for interesting agricultural projects throughout the world. Rossen Seeds B.V. has experience in growing Aloe Vera in Niger, but discovered that Aloe Vera grown in Uganda yields much heavier leaves. Local partner Ng'Kor Cottage Farm Ltd is a family owned, 2,000 acre farm in the Karamojong region in northeast Uganda, on which they herd cattle and grow various agricultural products. A joint venture was established between Rossen Seeds B.V. and Ng'Kor Cottage Farm Ltd. The project established close collaboration with the Luwero Aloe Vera Growers Association that represents Aloe farmers in several districts around Kampala. About 100 member farmers deliver Aloe leaves to the factory during the project period, leading to a substantial increase in their yearly income. This project is the first to deliver such a steady marketing opportunity to these farmers.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The partners adhere to local regulations. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been executed and approved by NEMA. During the building of the factory, the partners implemented GMP requirements. A GMP pre-audit will be part of the project results.The partners have signed an agreement with a local women's group, stating to recruit women from this group in particular, depending on the final location of the factory. Two thirds of all staff will be female.Last of all the partners agreed to establish an African Solidarity Fund from 2011 onwards in which 2% of total export turnover will be donated to be at the disposal of the Aloe Growers Service and the local women's group.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project will employ 29 people in total (24 basic-level, 5 high-level) and sign up contracts with 20 main outgrowers. Two years after the finalisation of the project a total of 58 people is expected to be employed (48 basic-level, 10 high-level) and 40 main outgrowers to be contracted.Employees will be paid fair and competitive wages. In addition, 15,000 euro per annum is budgeted for staff catering, social welfare and healthcare (this comes down to 500 euro per person).•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe professional Aloe Vera processing technology is new to Uganda and thus adds to better and higher educated employees. Next to the joint venture's staff, Aloe Vera farmers are trained through an Aloe growers service. This service consists of a demonstration/test field adjacent to the factory on which farmers are trained in good growing conditions, preparation of soil, plantation, fertilisation, irrigation and harvesting and post-harvest handling. This is new to the country as well.•	Chain effectsThe most important impact on the chain is that Aloe Vera farmers finally will have access to the market. During the project an estimated 100 farmer families are involved, but this is expected to double once the project is fully operational. Farmers on average own 0.4 ha of Aloe Vera. With a density of one plant every 2 m2, an average yield of 3 kg per plant per year and a price of 0.25 euro per kilogram, every farmer can earn 1,500 euro on a yearly basis.Next to farmers, the joint venture will also generate employment for about 20 transport companies for transport of leaves.•	EnvironmentThe impact on the environment is neutral as no harmful chemicals will be used, nor will any harmful effluents be produced. The Aloe leaves waste will be fully recycled and sold as ingredient for capsules and tablets.•	Position of womenTwo-thirds of all employees will be female (20 in total). This includes women on management positions, so 3 women will be employed in higher management. To establish a processing plant for Aloë Vera, capable of processing 500 tons of Aloë leaves per year into 300 tons of Aloe gel, Aloe drink and Aloë lotion for both export and the local market.