Amuru authorities in dilemma as farmers opt to grow cash crops

AMURU-Authorities in Amuru district are concerned that they might not be able to fight famine in the district in the near future as a high number of farmers are opting to grow more cash crops as opposed to growing food crops.

Amuru district, with its fertile land, has for long been known as one of the leading producers of food crops like; beans, cassava, maize, sesame, and potatoes among others.

This trend is however changing in the district, according to Apollo Okello, the secretary for production.

Okello says that over 60 percent of the farmers in the district are opting to plant crops including rice, soybeans, coffee, and groundnuts among others to fetch high prices on the market.

Okello identifies the sub-counties where most farmers have opted for cash crop farming as Lamogi, Lakang, Pabo, Pogo, and Amuru.

“If this trend continues, we are likely to experience famine because even when (if) our people have money, they can`t buy what is not there locally. Given the high commodity prices, these monies are likely to be consumed in a very short period of time,” Okello said.

In recent times, the district leaders and national leaders have been rallying farmers to interest in commercial farming.

On Tuesday, Michael Lakony, the LCV Chairperson of the district announced that the district had secured 2 tons of soybean seeds for Kilak Farmers’ Cooperative Society.

Okello believes that many farmers have not clearly understood commercial farming thinking, they should only plant cash crops without considering food crops for food security.

Denis Ocira, a farmer in Olwal, in Lamogi Sub-county said many of the farmers in his area are opting for cash crops given the ready market and the urgent need for money in the current tough economic times.

Ocira says that in recent times, farmers have registered poor yields for crops like beans, maize, cassava, and others which have frustrated many from planting those crops opting for soybeans that give better yields.

“Currently, the demand for soybeans is high and the price is good, why should I plant something which has a low yielding capacity and make losses even after investing time, energy, and money?” Ocira says.

Julius Otim, the Agricultural Officer for Amuru, Guru guru, and Layima sub-counties in Amuru district says many farmers have approached his office for consultations on reaping finances in recent times.

Otim however said that they have continued to emphasise the need for farmers to consider growing food crops to fight food insecurity in their households.

Michael Lakony, the Amuru district LCV Chairperson told this reporter in a recent interview that most of the farmers are excited by the Parish Development Model[PDM]  which seeks to improve the agricultural value chain to boost household incomes.

“What we are understanding is that the farmers believe that the crops and enterprises they can easily reap from are cash crops and not food crops. This needs to change because we can as well commercialise food crop production so that we sell some and keep some for the purpose of food security,” Lakony said.

https://thecooperator.news/pdm-amuru-farmers-opt-for-soybean-enterprise/

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