The Annual Agricultural Survey 2019 report compiled by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) shows that production in some crops dropped by as much as 65%.

Analysts have warned that the development could have implications for the country’s food security situation.

The report was released Monday during a dissemination workshop in Kampala. Released annually, it is intended to inform better planning in the agricultural sector.

The report shows that production of maize and beans, which forms the staple of most families in Uganda, dropped by 20% and 40%, respectively, in the last one year. Rice production dropped by 16%, while millet’s and sorghum’s dropped by 49% and 64%.

Sweet potatoes, which are chiefly produced in Busoga, Buganda and Teso, dropped by 20%. According to the report, production of sweet potatoes fell to 2.8 million metric tonnes per hectare in 2019 from 3.3 million metric tonnes in 2018.

Cassava, which is cultivated by 53% of households in Uganda, decreased by 39%.

It fell from a production of 8.7 million metric tonnes in 2018 to 7.5 million metric tonnes.

Cassava is chiefly grown in the north, West Nile, Lango and Busoga regions.

Cassava is mainly grown for home consumption, but is increasingly becoming a cash crop in some areas as an ingredient for making beer and animal feeds.

The drop was also realised in coffee production. According to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, the country earned $515.94m (about sh1.8 trillion) from coffee exports last year. Arabica, which is grown in the Elgon and Toro regions, dropped by 16%, with production falling from 1.7 metric tonnes to 1.6 metric tonnes. Robusta, on the other hand, dropped by 17%. Robusta production fell from 8.7 million metric tonnes per hectare to 7.5 million metric tonnes.

The report, however, indicated an increase in production of bananas and sesame. Bananas increased by about five million metric tonnes per hectare. This was an increase by 47%. In terms of metric tonnes, Uganda produced 12.3 metric tonnes in 2018, against a production of 17.1 million metric tonnes in 2019.

What the drop means

When contacted, agriculture ministry crop resources commissioner Alex Lwakuba said the findings owe in part to the weather, which affected farmers in the year under survey.

“The weather has not been responsive,” he said.

“I have been to the field and we have made some assessments on food security. We are, therefore, concerned.

There was a delayed onset of rains and where the rains came, it was not reliable or well distributed,” he said.

Lwakuba added that this could cause prices to go up in months to come.

“Where there is scarcity, the principles and laws of supply and demand show you should expect the prices to hike,” he said.

He advised those who have the food not to waste it in order to save the country from the situation. He said people in areas where there is moisture in the soils should plant quick maturing crops.

“You can even grow vegetables where someone can get something,” Lwakuba said.

“Invest in irrigation, in water for production. The weather is becoming unpredictable,” he added.

Threat of hunger

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, some areas in Uganda, especially Karamoja, are facing a threat of hunger.

Over 361,000 people are estimated to be experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity at crisis level or worse.