Soroti rejects OWC seedlings

PIC: Soroti RDC Isaac Kawoya speaking to the press

FARMING | OWC

Soroti district authorities have rejected over 13,000 orange seedlings supplied under the Operation Wealth Creation programme.

The seedlings supplied by Angella Akiteng, a sub-contractor under Kawanda Youth Nursery Fruit Agro Limited, were rejected yesterday after they were identified to be affected by the citrus greening disease.

James Odieny, the Soroti district agricultural officer, said they identified the disease by its symptoms in the leaves.

"This disease is dangerous and spreads at a fast rate," Odieny said.

He said the contractor will be asked why she supplied unhealthy seedlings.

Odieny recommended that the seedlings be burnt to limit the spread of the disease.

Francis Osama, the OWC district co-ordinator, warned contractors against supplying substandard seedlings, which he said fail the purpose of the programme.

Isaac Kawoya, the Soroti resident district commissioner, warned sub-contractors against exploiting farmers by supplying diseased inputs.

"Such things spoil the reputation of the local," Kawoya said. 

Attempts to get a comment from the contractor were futile.