Delay planting high-rainfall crops, Acholi farmers told

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Farmers in the Acholi sub-region have been advised to delay planting crops that require heavy rainfall despite unusual precipitation patterns recorded since February 2026.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) is instead encouraging farmers to grow drought-resistant crops such as millet and sorghum using a climate-smart technique known as dry planting.

The region has experienced consistent rainfall since early February, raising expectations among farmers preparing for the first planting season.

Traditionally, substantial rains in Acholi begin in March. However, increasing climate variability has made seasonal patterns less predictable, leaving many farmers uncertain about when and what to plant.

Some farmers have chosen to take advantage of the early moisture.

Ventorina Layet, a farmer from Namokora sub-county in Kitgum district, has already planted two acres of millet using the dry planting method. Her crops have germinated successfully.

“I have always relied on the February rains to start planting,” Layet said, explaining that early planting allows her crops to mature in time to benefit from the steadier mid-March rains, ensuring food for her household.

Mario Omona, also from Namokora, expressed a more cautious approach. He noted that over the past decade, February rains have typically been brief, lasting only a few weeks—just enough for land preparation.

“This year, the rains have continued longer than usual, which pushed me to plant earlier,” Omona said. However, he is focusing mainly on green vegetables for home consumption rather than commercial production, as he awaits clearer guidance from agricultural authorities.

Soil moisture still insufficient

Kitgum district agricultural officer Denish Ocira warned that despite the recent showers, the soil has not absorbed enough moisture to sustain crops that require significant water.

“If farmers plant crops that need a lot of rainfall now, they risk losses if the rains stop,” Ocira said. He recommended growing vegetables and adopting dry planting techniques, noting that ideal planting conditions typically occur at the onset of steady seasonal rains.

With forecasts indicating a possible dry spell in the coming weeks, Ocira emphasised that premature planting could jeopardise seeds and financial investments.

In neighbouring Nwoya district, agricultural officer Alfred Kilama acknowledged the difficulty of providing precise weather predictions. He said some farmers, frustrated by previous forecast inaccuracies, have opted to plant despite official advice.

Forecast

UNMA forecasting services manager George William Omwny said the February rains were initially projected to last only two weeks, primarily to allow farmers to prepare their gardens ahead of heavier rainfall expected in early to mid-March.

Although the rains persisted longer than forecasted, Omwny said current projections indicate predominantly dry conditions until mid-March, when normal rainfall patterns are expected to resume.

He advised farmers to use the available moisture for land preparation rather than large-scale planting of high water-demand crops.

Looking ahead, Omwny projected that rainfall across 2026 will generally be moderate and favourable for agriculture. He said conditions are expected to stabilise between April and June, followed by a brief dry spell before the second planting season begins in July.

Call for climate-smart agriculture

As weather variability continues to challenge traditional farming calendars, agricultural officials are urging farmers in Acholi to embrace climate-smart practices. Dry planting and the cultivation of drought-tolerant crops are being promoted as safer alternatives to safeguard food security and reduce the risk of crop failure.

For now, authorities say caution—not optimism—should guide planting decisions.