Legislators want agriculture policy
Feb 25, 2009
LEGISLATORS on Tuesday complained that most seeds on the market were not treated and were the main cause of low yields.
By Josephine Maseruka and Paul Kiwuuwa
LEGISLATORS on Tuesday complained that most seeds on the market were not treated and were the main cause of low yields.
MPs on the parliamentary committee on agriculture also complained of the mushrooming seed companies, which they said claimed to produce quality and improved seeds, yet they produced poor quality seeds.
The committee, chaired by Olive Woneka (NRM), heard that several farmers had complained about the scam.
Erute South MP John Odit (UPC) said recently, he bought what was said to be treated sim-sim seeds, but when they germinated, they were of two poor local varieties.
He said farmers in his constituency were planning to petition Parliament over the matter.
The MPs were deliberating on the lack of a national agricultural policy to regulate agricultural activities in the country.
They regretted that officials in the agriculture ministry confused the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture with the National Agricultural Policy, yet they said the plan was a mere framework.
Masindi MP Jalia Bintu (NRM) wondered why most of the presidential initiatives were in Bushenyi disrict.
She was reacting to a proposed visit to the Banana Processing Factory in Bushenyi, a presidential initiative.
She said she would also like a presidential initiative project in her constituency.
LEGISLATORS on Tuesday complained that most seeds on the market were not treated and were the main cause of low yields.
MPs on the parliamentary committee on agriculture also complained of the mushrooming seed companies, which they said claimed to produce quality and improved seeds, yet they produced poor quality seeds.
The committee, chaired by Olive Woneka (NRM), heard that several farmers had complained about the scam.
Erute South MP John Odit (UPC) said recently, he bought what was said to be treated sim-sim seeds, but when they germinated, they were of two poor local varieties.
He said farmers in his constituency were planning to petition Parliament over the matter.
The MPs were deliberating on the lack of a national agricultural policy to regulate agricultural activities in the country.
They regretted that officials in the agriculture ministry confused the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture with the National Agricultural Policy, yet they said the plan was a mere framework.
Masindi MP Jalia Bintu (NRM) wondered why most of the presidential initiatives were in Bushenyi disrict.
She was reacting to a proposed visit to the Banana Processing Factory in Bushenyi, a presidential initiative.
She said she would also like a presidential initiative project in her constituency.