Lango farmers advised to buy quality seeds
LIRA-As they prepare for the new plating season, the assistant commissioner in charge of Seed Inspection and Certification in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], Dr. Mary Teddy Asio, has advised farmers in the Lango Sub-region to acquire quality seeds for planting if they are to get better yields and increased incomes.
Visiting Divine Organic Women Group in Itek Sub-county in Lira district, Asio said there is a problem of fake seeds in the country but that government is working to fight the vice so that farmers reap the benefits of their sweat.
Asio also visited cassava seed multiplication sites established by National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] under Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem, for inclusive rural transformation and Livelihood in Eastern Africa project.
The multiplication sites have two new cassava varieties code-named UG120/193 and umkuba. They were established in Kwania, Lira, Apac, and Dokolo districts. The candidate varieties are yet to be released.
“We want to see how to improve on this because when you start with quality seed, the yield is high and a farmer gets good income out of it,” she said.
“So we are looking forward to improving production out of all things and since this is the start I want to advise them to always listen and seek guidance,” she added.
She urged farmers under Divine Organic Women Group to register as a seed producing company so that they can get orders from the ministry [MAAIF]. Registration with MAAIF, according to Asio, is only Shs 1 million.
Tally Janet, the chairperson of the group urged farmers to join them so that they multiply the new varieties to improve their livelihoods.
https://thecooperator.news/lira-rice-farmers-call-for-quality-seeds/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 2
