Farmers in the Karamoja sub-region have called on the government
and partners to support them with quality seeds during this crucial planting season.
As the rainy season sets in
the region, the farmers expressed concern that the planting
season had started, but they did not have seeds.. They said that although a few of them could afford to purchase from the market,
they are sceptical about the quality.
The farmers said that they need mainly seeds for maize, beans,
sorghum, millet, groundnuts, and sunflower because they are drought-resistant.
Peter Aguma, a farmer in Lotisan sub-county, Moroto district, said
that they have not received planting materials from any organisation.
Aguma said that he is using the seeds that he stored from last season's
harvests. He observed that most of the people in his community sold off all the
produce, but the ones who stored some had already started planting their
gardens.
Aguma said that he reached out to the sub-county to find out if
there is an offer for seeds, but the authorities said they had not received any
seeds.
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Mary Nakong, another farmer in Lotisan sub-county, said that a lack
of improved seeds has often affected their food production. Nakong said that most of them plant the seeds they saved from
their harvests. She noted that such seeds sometimes do not germinate due to
poor storage systems.
Simon Peter Lotem, the LCIII hairperson of Nadunget Sub County,
said that the farmers are stuck without seeds for planting.
Lotem said that the farmers were told to use their parish
development model money to buy seeds, but unfortunately, some people have not
yet received it.
He also observed that some of the PDM beneficiaries who received
money earlier have already misused their money and are now stranded without any
support.
Lotem noted that the farmers have opened up chunks of land and are
now looking to their leaders to support them with the seeds.
Lotem said that some people who received PDM money resolved to buy
livestock instead of seeds, and now they are also asking for planting inputs.
Lotem said that his sub-county does not have enough capacity to
support farmers with seeds, and the only hope is other partners that may
intervene.
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Bernard Obin, the Kotido district Agricultural officer, said that
the farmers are supposed to get their seeds unless there is a special program
from the government or a partner.
Obin said that they expect farmers to purchase their seeds for
planting because they no longer receive support from the government for planting
materials, as in the past.
Obin added that the partners who wish to procure seed inputs are
always advised to pass through the agricultural department for guidance.
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Mark Lolem, the Moroto District Agricultural Officer, said that
the government stopped giving seeds to farmers and now they only rely on
partners, while others bought their own using parish development model money.
Lolem urged the partners who intend to support farmers with
planting inputs to consider delivering them in time before the rains cut off. He noted that there is a tendency for partners delivering seeds
late in the time when farmers are expected to start harvesting.
Lolem explained that the planting is always done from March to
April, and September to October is for harvesting.
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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture announced plans to partner
with the Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research and
Development Institute to establish a seed scheme to produce the seeds
within the region.
Walter Odongo, the Director of Research at Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, said
that they need a stable water source to enable them to carry out seed
production. He said that they need a water source inform of a valley dam because
currently they lack water for irrigation.
Odongo said that they have chunks of land that would sustain several
activities, including the production of quality seeds.
Odongo noted that grain and seed production is very critical for
them, and they lack a storage facility. He appealed to the government to
support them with storage and grain processing facilities.
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Paul Lokol, the LCV Chairperson of Nabilatuk district, said that
there is a need to prioritise seed production for farmers to be able to improve
their production.
Lokol said that it would be better for the government to partner with
other private sectors to run the business.
He said that the farmers are currently relying on the seeds that are
produced from other regions, which often fail the tests of the Karamoja soil
and the climate.
Lokol said that there is a need to produce seeds within the region,
but they should be from a commercial, certified producer.
