Farmers urge stronger support for indigenous seed revival

_________________

Farmers in eastern and northern Uganda are urging government and development partners to support efforts to revive indigenous seed cultivation, which they say is under threat from climate change, pests, poor market access and limited government attention.

During the second Farmer-Managed Seed System Caravan held in Apuuton village, Bugondo sub-county, Serere district, farmers raised concerns over unpredictable rainfall, the scarcity of indigenous seeds and poor transport networks that restrict access to markets.

Moses Okello from Apac district appealed to government to provide affordable irrigation systems, saying many small-scale farmers cannot meet the 20 percent co-funding required in government programmes.

Moses Omate from Amuria district suggested that government should work with NGOs to distribute indigenous seeds and provide extension services.

Richard Okweny, from Okwakol Farmer Field School in Kyere subcounty, called for urgent measures to combat pests that destroy local seed varieties.

Local leaders also weighed in. John Esadu, the LC3 chairperson for Kyere Sub-county, criticised the overreliance on chemically treated crops, warning of health risks.

The event, held under the theme “Rooted in Diversity: Securing Our Seeds, Food and Future,” was spearheaded by ESAFF Uganda with partners including PELUM Uganda, Oxfam, CIDI, LEMU, NARO and CoU-TEDDO, with funding from Norway.

Dr Robert Acidri, the project manager for the Rooted in Diversity initiative at PELUM Uganda, said the five-year project—running until 2028—aims to reverse the loss of indigenous seeds caused by climate change, government policies and the influx of improved varieties.

He said the initiative will reach 55 districts and seeks to support at least 10,000 smallholder farmers through seed diversity promotion, stronger local value chains and a favourable policy environment.



Christine Okot, a board member of ESAFF Uganda, encouraged farmers to pass on indigenous seed knowledge to younger generations, stressing the nutritional and health benefits of traditional foods.



Meanwhile, Kyere Sub-county agriculture officer Aloysius Musana revealed that a newly established community seed bank will help farmers preserve and access local varieties. He urged farmers to form groups to benefit from micro-irrigation, climate-smart farming and collective marketing.



Farmers and experts say indigenous seeds are more resilient to drought, pests and diseases, and contain higher nutritional and medicinal value compared to improved varieties.

The caravan, which began in Iganga on Monday, moved to Serere on Wednesday and concluded in Soroti on Thursday, underlining the growing regional momentum behind the indigenous seed movement.