Bugisu farmers decry fake agro-inputs on market

MBALE –Farmers in Bugisu Sub-region have asked government to intervene and address the issue of the increasing presence of fake agro-inputs on the local market.

Judith Mukite, a poultry farmer in Mbale City, said there are many fake fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, and seeds on the local market.

She said the counterfeit agro-inputs cause losses to many farmers, forcing them to abandon farming.

The farmers made the appeal during the recent awards ceremony held at Wash and Wills Hotel for the best local artists in Bugisu Sub-region who have composed local songs about the fake agro-inputs being distributed on the market.

The event was organised by the non-government organisation, Feed the Future in partnership with the United Nations and aimed at fighting fake products on the market.

Isa Kutosi, another farmer, expressed concern over the increasing fake veterinary drugs, coupled with high prices.

The Mbale resident city commissioner, John Rex Aachilla, urged farmers to be cautious when buying seeds agro-inputs on the black market.

Aachilla, told farmers to  report any dealers who supply fake agro-inputs such that they can be arrested and charged.

Collin Apuoyo, one of the staff from Feed the Future, said that using local music artists in the fight against fake products will save from making losses, having listened to the songs from the different media and social platforms.

Sam Welikhe, a local artist  who was among the competitors  was happy that artists have been included in the fight against fake agro-inputs on the market.

He also urged the public to avoid fake agro-products on the market, saying they cause financial loss, especially to the farmers.

Early this year, The Ministry of Agriculture said it had 90 tons of substandard and counterfeit assorted agricultural inputs worth Shs 2 billion impounded from dealers across the country.

This follows seven years of a series of operations conducted across Uganda where agro chemicals, seeds and fertilisers were seized.

Sylvia Nantongo Mutebi, a senior inspector at the Agricultural Chemicals Control Division of the Crop Inspection Department in the Ministry, said recently they were considering a review of the Agricultural Chemicals [Control] Act 2007, to ensure dealers who sell counterfeit agrochemicals and other inputs are permanently banned from the business.
https://thecooperator.news/apac-maize-farmers-sacco-alerted-of-counterfeit-seeds-on-market/

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