Farmers advised to plant quality seeds in new planting season

KOLE, March 4, 2025 – Esther Apwot, 60, one of the pioneer members of Alito Joint Multipurpose Cooperative Limited in Kole district, has urged farmers to purchase seeds produced by certified seed companies if they are to achieve high yields in the coming planting season.

Apwot, a resident of Teopok A village in Okwerodot Subcounty, emphasised that quality seeds are the cornerstone of high production and food security, and farmers should embrace them to avoid losses.

Recently, Dr. Teddy Asio Mary, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of seed inspection and certification in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, stated that the lack of quality and genuine seeds is a significant issue for farmers across the country, as it is negatively impacting production. She called for a concerted effort from farmers, input dealers, and regulators to completely address this problem.

Apwot, one of the seed multipliers, said she was trained by the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] two decades ago, and she continues to benefit from those skills, now advising farmers to procure seeds only from certified companies.

She explained that she was among five pioneer members of the cooperative who received initial training in seed production in 1998 when the cooperative was just starting.

“The focus was on oilseeds such as sunflower and soybean, and since then, the skills have helped me to produce quality seeds, which I provide to farmers who appreciate them,” she said.

She added that NARO trained them on seed multiplication, covering areas such as field preparation, planting (agronomy), harvesting, postharvest handling, and access to better markets.

Apwot explained that they began implementing the skills even before the Uganda Oil Seed Producers and Processors Association [UOSPPA] became involved, as they had a great interest in oilseeds. UOSPPA later re-trained them to further boost production and promote the growing of oilseeds.

With the training and additional experience in seed multiplication, Apwot has gained significant expertise and is now training farmers on how to produce quality seeds for higher production and better markets.

“It started with five of us, but now, as I mentioned, we are 180 seed multipliers registered with Alito Joint Cooperative, supplying farmers across Lango and Acholi sub-regions,” she added. “We are now specialising in soybeans,” she continued, adding that she is ready and has already packaged her seeds for the upcoming farming season.

According to Apwot, each kilogramme of their quality seed is sold to farmers at Shs 6,000, and since then, no farmer has reported a failure with their seeds.

“We know all the processes to produce high-quality certified seeds capable of yielding better results for farmers, thanks to NARO,” she said.

She added that since entering the trade, she has succeeded in educating all her children, building a permanent home, and making other investments.

https://thecooperator.news/new-planting-season-amuru-farmers-seek-government-support-on-seeds/

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