FARMERS | RAINY SEASON | MINISTER 

The long rainy season of March-June has started, bringing hope to millions of farmers who should expect a bumper harvest.

According to Vincent Ssempijja, the agriculture minister, the rain season started in March and is likely to end in May or early June. He said farmers should plant early to benefi t from the season that is likely to be favourable. 

The minister said cereals , such as maize, millet, sorghum and simsim, require early planting and that they should be planted in the first month of rain (between March 15 and April 15).

Ssempijja also said planting of crops, such as sweet potatoes, cassava and bananas, can continue up to the end of the rain season.

“The rain season has already started and people in places like Busoga have been planting,” he noted. The minister made the remarks during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

“Farmers should plant good certified seed and ensure the right spacing,’’ he said. 

Weather forecast   

March to May constitutes the first major rain season in Uganda. “Overall, there is an increase of near normal (closer to average rains) to above normal (wetter than usual) conditions over several parts of Uganda,” according to the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA).

The population, as well as local and urban authorities, have been advised to de-silt, dig drainage channels around households and gardens.

UNMA also advised the population to avoid crossing flooded road sections. Other sectors expected to benefit from the rain include energy, particularly hydroelectric power.

With the increased water in the rivers and lakes, power production is likely to increase to optimal levels. The rain could also increase risks in the health sector with disease outbreaks, such as cholera and typhoid.

Post-harvest losses 

Ssempijja also warned against harvesting crops prematurely. He said concrete slabs and tarpaulin should be employed to dry the harvest.

The minister also said farmers who do not have moisture metres should leave their maize to dry in the garden, then transfer it to the crib where it can be dried by aeration.

Although some parts of Uganda had occasional rains, there were dry conditions for harvesting and processing of the harvest.

Ssempijja also said farmers who planted in November and December were still harvesting crops (in March and April).  He also pointed out that there is a bumper harvest of bananas, which has led to low prices.

Ssempijja said some of the farmers were following in the footsteps of the presidential initiative of adding value to bananas by processing bananas into wine.