Grace Abalo, a wholesale dealer and farmer in Loyo Ajonga Village told URN that she harvested 170 sacks of sunflower seeds approximately 9,350 kilograms. She explains that she was able to sell to Lira City and some local dealers within Omoro district.
A kilogram of sunflower seeds is currently being sold at Shillings 1,400 as compared to Shillings 800 in the previous season.
Sunflower farmers in Omoro district are smiling all the way to the bank
following a bumper harvest and sales. Hundreds of farmers in the district produced several tons
of
sunflower in the last season, which
has now attracted buyers from Lira City and parts of Central Uganda.
A kilogram of sunflower seeds now costs Shillings 1,400 compared to Shillings 800 in
the previous season. Sunflower seeds are used for the production of edible oils, which is key in the management of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. The seeds also contain vitamin E, magnesium,
protein, and linoleic fatty acids.
A number of farmers
interviewed by URN,
says that they have found fortune in the business noting that their
efforts and finances have not gone to waste. Grace Abalo, a wholesale dealer
and farmer in Loyo Ajonga Village told URN that she harvested 170 sacks of
sunflower seeds approximately 9,350 kilograms. She explains that she was able to sell to Lira
City and some local dealers within Omoro district.
//Cue in: ‘’sunflower ocek…
Cue out: …obedo wai 92.’’//
Abalo said that she planted local and modified sunflower seed varieties in order to cope with the weather changes and
avert losses. William Oneka, another excited farmer told URN that he was
able to realize 550 kilograms of sunflower seeds from his two acres piece of land.
He, however, says that
they should have received more than Shillings 1,300 per kilogram of the seeds but the farmers are
manipulated by middlemen since the area has a poor road network and limited markets from
within.
Kerobino Okot, the Labworomor Village LC I Chairperson, says that his one acre of sunflower also yielded and he
never had problems sourcing for the market. He however explained
that farmers in the area were affected by the high cost of sunflower seeds,
maintenance, and adverse weather conditions.
//Cue in: ‘’sunflower
botwa kany…
Cue out: …otwi maber
tutwal.’’//
Patrick Omona, the Senior Commercial Officer for
Omoro District told URN that the district commercial department set the Shillings 1,400 price per kilogram of sunflower
to avoid monopoly by middlemen.
Emmy Daniel Ojara
Freelancer