Using technology to enhance crop productivity

Post-harvest loses; poor farming and marketing practices are the major challenges to successful maize farming in the country. 

The combination of three factors has deprived farmers of the otherwise huge returns they would have reaped from their investments if they deployed proper farming practices.

Experts now say that farmers must be helped to improve on good practices and post-harvest handling.  

However, where farmers adopt good practices, the results are good. Yusuf Lubaale is a 39 year old resident of Bukuluba Village; Bugeywa Parish in Butansi Sub-county, Kamuli District is among the progressive maize farmers that attributes his success to improved farming practices.

Formerly a teacher, Lubaale first resorted to maize farming to supplement his meager salary but with improved farming practices the production shot up gradually and started milling his maize before sale.

Lubaale later joined Kamuli Agribusiness Institution Training Association (KAIDA) as a member through his group. KAIDA is one of the One Stop Center Associations (OSCA) established by Sasakawa Global SG2000 Uganda for more skills.

He said these trainings focused on improved agronomic practices and technologies, post-harvest and agro-processing practices and technologies as well as access to markets and credit have changed   his general livelihood.

Through use of recommended technologies and practices such as fertilizers, improved seeds, spacing and line planting Lubaale has managed to move from one level to one of the most processing farmers in the area.

He got a good harvest of 5200kg which he sold at even a fair price of sh700 per kilo to earn him sh4m. In the two seasons of 2014 Yusuf planted 6 acres during each (3 of which were rented in at $96.

From the 6 acres, he harvested 12500kgs and 13,100kgs of maize for the first and second seasons respectively, all of which was bulked at the OSCA.

In 2015 first season, Yusuf planted maize on 4 acres, beans on 2 acres, soya beans on 1.5 acres. He harvested 9,200kgs of maize which was sold at sh5m, 980Kgs of soya beans and 700Kgs of beans which were paid in-kind for school fees sh4m.

Dr. Rosaline Nyamutale Country director Sasakawa -Global 2000 said crop productivity enhancement services through enabling farmers access to agro inputs, better farming methods and access to better  markets in local communities  is only way to go.