Bunyoro farmers irked as fake agro-inputs flood market

HOIMA – As the second planting season of the year kicks in, farmers in Bunyoro Sub-region have appealed to the government to intervene and get rid of the fake agro-inputs on the local market.

Peter Semiga, a farmer from Kateriga village in Buhanika Sub-county Hoima district said fake fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, and herbicides are common in agro-shops.

He said farmers in Hoima district and other districts in Bunyoro Sub-region buy seeds expensively even though some fail to germinate upon planting, making farmers to incur losses.

He urged government to prevail over the agro-input dealers if the farmers are to profit from farming.

Semiga and other farmers made the call during a recent sensitisation meeting which attracted farmers from Hoima, Kikuube, Buliisa, Kagadi, and Kakumiro districts among others. The meeting which aimed at helping farmers  aopt new farming technologies such as small-scale irrigation and fertilisers was held at Kolping Hotel in Hoima town on Friday.

The meeting was organised by KickStart International, Kitara Community Seed Bank, and Volcano Ventures. KickStart International is a non-profit social enterprise with a mission to lift millions of people out of poverty quickly, cost-effectively, and sustainably.

On the other hand, Kitara Community Seed Bank for Social Transformation [KISE] deals in seed multiplication as Volcano Ventures deals in the promotion of organic agro-inputs in Bunyoro Sub-region.

Ephraim Kyamanya, a pineapple, maize, and beans farmer in Kihukya cell in Hoima City said that suppliers of fake agro-inputs like seeds, pesticides, and herbicides are to blame for the poor yields that farmers get.

He noted that there is a need for government to regulate the activities of agro-input dealers, adding that fake agro-inputs discourage farmers from practicing farming.

“Someone gets money and starts an agro-input business. I think government should send officers to ensure quality agro-inputs on the markets. Some people are selling seeds especially maize seeds without expiry being indicated,” he said.

Innocent Aliguma, the Kyabigambire Sub-county community development officer challenges farmers to always consult agricultural extension workers before buying the agro-inputs, or when they have challenges on their farms.

Charles Kisembo, a model farmer from Kagadi district advised farmers to plant indigenous seeds as one way of addressing the challenge of fake seeds on the market.

“In the past farmers would keep their own seeds and they would not complain of fake seeds. When we started depending on these so-called improved seeds, we started suffering,” he said.

John Aheebwa, the midwestern partnership officer working with KickStart International said they are partnering with cooperatives, and government to support farmers in accessing new agricultural technologies such as irrigation.

He added that they are also encouraging farmers to grow high-value crops such as vegetables and tomatoes and embrace irrigation to mitigate the effects of climate change such as prolonged drought.

Yahaya Byarufu, the executive director of KISE said they are training farmers on post-harvest handling, seed quality, fertiliser application, and land management among others.

He said rain-fed agriculture is not sustainable due to climate change, adding embracing small-scale irrigation and organic fertilisers would help farmers minimize losses and earn big from farming.

https://thecooperator.news/lira-farmers-decry-presence-of-fake-agro-inputs-on-market/

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