MAAIF launches nationwide crackdown on fake agricultural inputs

FORT PORTAL CITY, July 11, 2025 –– In a bid to protect Ugandan farmers from financial loss, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [ MAAIF ] has launched a nationwide operation to eliminate counterfeit agricultural inputs and enforce regulatory compliance across the country.

The crackdown follows a surge in the circulation of substandard seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and other farm inputs, which have caused significant losses to farmers.

According to Patrick Okello, an inspection officer with MAAIF, the operation was prompted by numerous reports from the farming community about fake products being sold by unscrupulous dealers seeking quick profits.

“We have started arresting offenders and closing agricultural input shops that fail to meet ministry standards,” Okello said during a recent operation in Fort Portal City.

He noted that while most traders in Fort Portal City are compliant, the operation will continue throughout the region, including neighbouring districts.

Call for professionalism and compliance

Fort Portal City Agricultural Officer James Mugabe urged all agro-input dealers to strictly adhere to ministry guidelines and avoid selling counterfeit products that endanger farmers’ livelihoods.

“These businesses must be run by knowledgeable individuals. We recommend at least a Uganda Certificate of Education (Senior Four) qualification to ensure dealers can provide informed guidance to farmers,” Mugabe said.

He expressed concern over unqualified shop attendants giving misleading advice, noting that this worsens the problems caused by fake inputs.

Voices from the ground

In Bunyangabu District, where the operation also took place, agro-input dealers welcomed the initiative but called on the ministry to go further and target manufacturers and suppliers of counterfeit products.

“Sometimes we are left to do the ministry’s job, verifying whether the products we receive are genuine or not,” said one dealer in Rwimi Town Council.

Jimmy Ogwang, the agricultural extension worker for Bunyangabu, praised the crackdown, describing it as a much-needed wake-up call for both dealers and farmers.

“Capital alone is not enough. Some people rush into the agro-input business without proper consultation or understanding of the regulations,” he remarked.

Enforcement measures

Okello emphasised that shops closed during the operation must complete the required registration process before resuming business.

He added that evidence collected, including samples of suspected counterfeit products, has been sent to the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala for further analysis.

MAAIF reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality services and protecting Ugandan farmers from exploitation and financial loss caused by fake agro-inputs.

“This campaign is about restoring trust in the agricultural value chain. We want to ensure that farmers get value for their money and that their efforts produce real results,” Okello said.

According to agricultural economists, counterfeit agricultural inputs such as fake seeds, pesticides, and fertilisers can have severe consequences for farmers, the environment, and the broader economy. These include reduced crop yields, financial losses, and food safety risks. Additionally, fake inputs can disrupt markets, trigger trade barriers, and pose long-term health hazards.

https://thecooperator.news/lira-farmers-alerted-of-counterfeit-seeds-on-market/

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