KIKUUBE – Residents of Kikuube district are grappling with high prices of beans and posho arising from the low supply of the foodstuffs.
Bosco Sebazungu, a resident of Waraganza trading center in Kyangwali Sub-county told this reporter many families in the area cannot afford to buy a kilo of beans as its price has skyrocketed.
He said that a kilo of beans depending on the type, now goes for between Shs 5,000-6,000 from between Shs 3,500-5,000 a month ago.
He added that a kilo of maize floor now sells at a retail price of Shs 3,500 in the area.
He noted that the prices have increased as some traders have to travel to the districts of Kakumiro, and Kibaale, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He added the prices of cassava and bananas have also increased, forcing some people to steal from the gardens.
Jane Birungi Attenyi who has a restaurant in Kiziranfumbi town council, Kikuube district said that they no longer buy beans to prepare source as they are expensive.
She noted that a kilo goes for between Shs 6,000-7,000 from between Shs 4,000-5,000 two months ago. She added that a small basin of fresh beans still in their pods goes for Shs 15,000 while the big basin is sold at Shs 25,000.
She also attributed increasing prices to scarcity and few people engaging in the production of food as many farmers have resorted to sugarcane growing.
Steven Kabangambe, a produce dealer from Kyarushesha in Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube district says that they have never experienced such high prices in the area.
He noted that a kilo of beans depending on the type currently goes for between Shs 5,000-6,000is from between Shs 4,000 – 5,000 two months ago.
He added that the kilo of maize grain costs Shs 1,600 adding this has resulted in the increase of maize flour.
However, some experts have blamed the lack of land for food production as one of the major factors resulting in food shortage in the affected areas.
Barnabas Ntume, the Kikuube district production officer said that there is a low supply of food compared to the demand.
He said the influx of people in Kikuube district as a result of oil and gas activities there has created a high demand for food in the district.
Ntume said that many farmers who used to hire land from rich people for production of maize, beans, and sweet potato are currently unable to hire the land as landlords prefer dealing with cane and tea growers.
He further noted that many farmers in the area are engaged in subsistence farming which leaves a little surplus for the market.
Vicente Balongo, an extension worker for Kyabigambire Sub-county in Hoima district, also explained the scarcity of food as a result of low production.
He said land fragmentation in the area is not suitable for commercial production of food, adding that cane growing has left few farmers in food production.
https://thecooperator.news/inside-government-plans-to-boost-food-security/
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