New planting season: Amuru farmers seek government support on seeds

AMURU – Farmers subscribing to Kilak Farmers Cooperative Society have appealed to government to provide them with at least 1.5 tonnes of maize seeds and one tonne of soybean seeds during the ongoing planting season.

The cooperative society which recently received a tractor from the Ministry of Agriculture wants the seeds for 20,000 acres owned by individual members across Amuru district.

Humphrey Acellam, the Chairperson of the cooperative, told this reporter recently that his members are struggling to buy the seeds because of high prices. He said a kilo of untreated maize seeds costs between Shs 2,000 and Shs 3,000 in Amuru district while a kilo of soybean costs Shs 2,500.

“We have asked the government to give us seeds. We had hoped to secure seeds from our savings but have proven not be enough,” Acellam said, adding that they realised poor harvests last.

Beatrice Akello, a resident of Kal Town Council, in Pabo Town Council says she is only able to afford 5 kilogrammes of seeds, having prepared 10 acres of land.

Anthony Akol, the Kilak North Member of Parliament, also a member of the cooperative society, said he was in contact with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Office of the Prime Minister and other farming partners to support the farmers with seeds this planting season.

According to Akol, the long term plan is however to establish a model farm where seeds can be multiplied and later distributed to members at a reduced price.

“When we get our model farm where we multiply seeds, we will be able to support our members at a very low cost. In the meantime, we have already made contact with the Ministry of Agriculture and OPM, and we are waiting for their feedback,” Akol said.

In a recent interview with this reporter Akol said that he had made contact with the World Food Programme to be the main buyer of maize and soybean produced by the Kilak Farmers Cooperative Society.

Kilak Farmers Cooperative Society has a membership of over 20,000 spread across Amuru district.

https://thecooperator.news/oyam-cooperative-asks-govt-for-maize-seeds/

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