Uganda is holding talks with Kenya to increase grain exports ranging between 600,000 and one million tonnes annually, in a deal that could earn the country an estimated $195 million to $325 million.
The deal would be a windfall for farmers and grain traders.
Due to lack of enforcement of standards and an open border policy, Kenyan, Rwandan and South Sudanese traders often flock Ugandan villages to buy grain cheaply.
Ugandan authorities say this has left many farmers short-changed since unprocessed maize fetches between 280,000shs and 420,000shs less per tonne, than if it were processed.
A total of 20,000 metric tonnes of assorted raw and processed grains leave Uganda every week to other countries.
Statistics show that in November 2017, Uganda exported over 600 tonnes of sorghum, 3,000 tonnes of maize, 9,000 tonnes of beans, and 2,000 tonnes of millet, all in unprocessed form to Kenya.
Grain Council of Uganda figures show that Uganda produces about four million tonnes of maize annually, but exports only an estimated 166,000 tonnes of good quality, processed maize.
