GULU CITY, November 18, 2025 — Several farmers in Gulu district stand to reap big from growing onions, having been equipped with vital skills for growing the high-value horticultural crop that has long been neglected despite strong market demand.
The farmers underwent the training on Thursday on; seed selection, proper use of chemicals and fertilisers, post-harvest handling, and other techniques during a farmer field day held at Gulu Main Prison.
Osho Chemicals Limited, an agricultural inputs company that organised the event, has established demonstration plots at Gulu Main Prison to showcase how to grow the Red Pinoy onion, which matures in 75 days.
Michael Ocen, a Technical Marketing Officer with Osho Chemicals Limited, said: “We are focusing on onions and tomatoes because these crops are high value. Farmers can become prosperous if they embrace growing them alongside the other crops they already cultivate.”
Ocen noted that the training also targets inmates to equip them with livelihood skills for reintegration into their communities after serving their sentences.
He explained that farmers in the Acholi Sub-region have overlooked high-value vegetables, choosing instead to focus on soya beans and maize.
“Most of the onions and tomatoes consumed here in Acholi come from the Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions, yet our land is very fertile. We have realised that farmers simply lack the skills to grow these vegetables, which is why we have started carrying out trainings to empower them,” Ocen said.
Job Musimbi, the Assistant Superintendent of Prisons at Gulu Main Prison, said inmates and staff access vegetables from small plots cultivated within the prison premises.
“These small plots provide food for the 1,600 inmates and more than 200 staff at Gulu Main Prison,” Musimbi said.
He added that many people misuse farmland by growing low-value crops such as maize on large plots.
“People often waste a whole acre growing maize. Maize is good, but it is not as high value as onions and tomatoes. You should grow it for home consumption, not for sale, unless you have the capacity. Someone who uses one acre to grow onions and tomatoes will earn more than someone who grows maize on 10 acres,” he explained.
A kilogram of maize currently sells for between Shs 700 and Shs1,000, while onions sell for between Shs 3,500 and Shs 4,000 in most markets in Gulu.
During the training, farmers expressed concern that onion production relies heavily on chemicals, which they linked to rising cancer cases.
According to the World Health Organisation [WHO], Uganda registered 35,968 new cancer cases and 24,629 cancer-related deaths in 2022. Experts note that prolonged exposure to pollutants, chemicals and radiation can increase cancer risk.
However, Ocen explained that many farmers misuse agricultural chemicals due to limited knowledge.
“Most chemical manufacturers indicate a pre-harvest interval [PHI] — usually seven to 14 days — which is the time frame within which the crop can be safely harvested and consumed without posing health risks,” he said.
He added that the problem is worsened by tomato vendors who insist on buying produce with visible chemical residue, believing it prolongs shelf life.
Ocen urged farmers to follow the recommended pre-harvest intervals, noting that chemicals lose toxicity after the specified period.
Post-harvest handling
James Ogwal, an official from Seed Co Ltd., a supplier of certified seeds, encouraged farmers to keep records of planting and harvesting dates. He also trained them on proper post-harvest care for onions.
“Post-harvest losses in onions usually occur when farmers sell dirty produce. You need to handle the crop carefully to prevent damage. When drying, spread the onions on the floor of a well-ventilated room, hang them on ropes, or place them on shelves. It’s not advisable to dry onions under direct sunlight, as they may get scorched,” he advised.
https://thecooperator.news/honey-production-drops-in-gulu-due-to-human-activities/
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