Kamuli farmers reject cotton policy
Apr 20, 2008
FARMERS in Kamuli district have rejected a new cotton policy adopted by the buyers in Busoga. Under the ‘cotton zoning’ system, the buyers resolved to subdivide the region’s major cotton producing areas into four zones, each with a sole ginnery authorised to purchase the crop.
By Charles Kakamwa
FARMERS in Kamuli district have rejected a new cotton policy adopted by the buyers in Busoga. Under the ‘cotton zoning’ system, the buyers resolved to subdivide the region’s major cotton producing areas into four zones, each with a sole ginnery authorised to purchase the crop.
The ginneries are Bulumba for Kaliro zone, Balawoli for Kamuli, Nakivumbi for Iganga and Busembatia for Busembatia town council and Namutumba district.
However, during a meeting last week at Irundu Primary School, Kamuli, farmers protested the move, saying it was a scheme to cheat them.
“The zoning policy is unfair as it does not give farmers the chance to market their produce elsewhere. In 2004, it was introduced and a kilogramme went for as low as sh270.
“Farmers became demoralised and stopped producing,†said Hussein Nsuwa, the chairman of Kagulu Cotton Farmers Association. “It also compromises quality as farmers tend to mix the cotton with certain substances to gain more weight.â€
Nsuwa explained that after complaints in 2005, the farmers were allowed to sell to buyers of their choice, adding this was partly responsible for the price increase to the currrent sh900 per kilo.
The district secretary for production, Michael Kanaku, told The New Vision that the zoning was against the government’s liberalisation policy.
FARMERS in Kamuli district have rejected a new cotton policy adopted by the buyers in Busoga. Under the ‘cotton zoning’ system, the buyers resolved to subdivide the region’s major cotton producing areas into four zones, each with a sole ginnery authorised to purchase the crop.
The ginneries are Bulumba for Kaliro zone, Balawoli for Kamuli, Nakivumbi for Iganga and Busembatia for Busembatia town council and Namutumba district.
However, during a meeting last week at Irundu Primary School, Kamuli, farmers protested the move, saying it was a scheme to cheat them.
“The zoning policy is unfair as it does not give farmers the chance to market their produce elsewhere. In 2004, it was introduced and a kilogramme went for as low as sh270.
“Farmers became demoralised and stopped producing,†said Hussein Nsuwa, the chairman of Kagulu Cotton Farmers Association. “It also compromises quality as farmers tend to mix the cotton with certain substances to gain more weight.â€
Nsuwa explained that after complaints in 2005, the farmers were allowed to sell to buyers of their choice, adding this was partly responsible for the price increase to the currrent sh900 per kilo.
The district secretary for production, Michael Kanaku, told The New Vision that the zoning was against the government’s liberalisation policy.