Bad weather leaves members of Paimol Cooperative Society upset
AGAGO – Members of Paimol Cooperative Society in Agago district have had a setback in their agricultural production, having been affected by the harsh weather last year.
They said the late rains affected their planting activities in the first season yet their hopes to have better yields in the second season were dealt a blow because of torrential rains that hit the gardens.
The cooperative’s members mainly grow sim-sim, maize, groundnuts, and sorghum noted that their crops were destroyed in the gardens even though they had invested a lot of money during the early stages of production.
Juma odong, who grows groundnuts, said that out of the three acres he planted last year, he was only able to harvest only nine bags compared to the previous years when he would harvest between 30-35 bags of groundnuts.
“Last year, I made losses in both seasons. Some of us acquired loans to open up our farms and plant but now we are stuck because of the poor harvests,’’ he said.
Joyce Lamaro, who shared a similar plight appealed to government to put in place mechanisms of compensating farmers who lose their crops due to the harsh weather.
“It’s through farming that we realise our livelihoods but the weather has taken a toll on us. We need government to support when we make such losses,’’ she said.
The chairperson of the cooperative, Robert Othieno said the majority of the members who are farmers were all affected as their yields went down compared to the previous farmers.
“The weather was terrible and as we were banking on the second season, too much rains caused more problems to us,’’ he said.
Othieno however said they are hopeful they will get good yields this year. “All is not lost as we are hoping for the best this year. Farmers should not lose hope,” he advised.
Manager East Acholi Cooperative Union, Henry Komakech asked members to embrace crop insurance so that in case of bad weather and other natural calamities, they are covered.
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