Flower planters’ association turns focus to growing plants for medicinal and dietary purposes

The Chairperson of the Uganda Tropical Plants Association (UTPA), Ruth Banabo, has said they are now going to promote the planting of plants for medicinal and dietary purposes.

“We want to continue spicing the original mission, reemphasizing the values of plants, especially encouraging the young families that they can generate income as well as eating healthy within their respective locations,” she said.

She was speaking during the opening of the Uganda Tropical Plants Association Flower Show which took place between the 4th and 6th of November at the Uganda Museum in Kampala.

She said the objective of the show is to strengthen awareness and appreciation of flowers and plants in the beautification of the environment.

Value of nature

Banabo noted that the Association will now aim at creating awareness in the field of organic farming, saving and protecting lives from the dangers and side effects found in chemicals.

She said the young generation needs to do more research and become knowledgeable about the value of nature. She encouraged parents to do their best and involve their children in this area at an early stage.

According to Banabo some of the items showcased included plants kept in houses to purify air like the peace lily plant, outdoor plants that can be planted anywhere in the compound, air plants that grow by themselves, and desert plants which require low maintenance like the cactus.

Think Digital

The opening of the Flower Show was presided over by Cynthia Mpanga, the Manager of Corporate Affairs at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda.

She called on members of the Uganda Tropical Plants Association to embrace online platforms as the next frontier for branding and business positioning.

Mpanga noted that conventional media may be loved by the public and has a role to play; however, online media is more accessible and has got ripple effects.

Mpanga explained that today’s world has got the biggest earners and influencers who earn a lot through online platforms and put themselves or their businesses out there to the public.

Digital is cheap and influential 

“You’ve got to be able to take that risk and understand that the dynamics have changed, because even the Elon Musks who are going to the moon, are buying Twitter because it’s the future,” she said.

Adding: “It is where the conversations happen. It’s where the influence happens. So, do not be there thinking you need millions of dollars, or shillings, to brand and market or position yourself,” she said.

She asked the Association to strengthen its digital presence by opening up social media platforms.

Mpanga, a past president of the Public Relations Association of Uganda, also encouraged the Association to understand the global perspective and how it affects them from a local context.

Adopt a global mindset 

She said as members of the Association need to start thinking in a more global context by taking up courses that add knowledge to them in their planting business.

“This is what’s called having a global outlook and knowing that you have a bigger dream, and therefore, how you achieve the dream on a bigger scale and impact many people. I think we all need to embrace that kind of attitude, and that similar way of thinking,” she noted.

The Association 

Uganda Tropical Plants Association is a non-profit organization established in 2008. It is composed of members involved in various related horticultural activities like floral farming, floral arrangement and design, landscaping and garden design, potted plants, and container gardening.

The general role of its establishment is to create general awareness of the importance of environmental conservation, through the promotion of quality horticultural practices and standards.