What farmers say
Aug 23, 2010
<b>Tomato farmers need a processing plant</b><br>EDITOR — I grow tomatoes and vegetables in Nakaseke district. A few years ago, we were told that our area had been selected to have a tomato processing plant. We were told the plant would process tomatoes into various products, such as tomato sauce
Tomato farmers need a processing plant
EDITOR — I grow tomatoes and vegetables in Nakaseke district. A few years ago, we were told that our area had been selected to have a tomato processing plant. We were told the plant would process tomatoes into various products, such as tomato sauce and jam.
The purpose of this plant was to help us, farmers, reduce on the big losses we were incurring especially in the peak seasons because tomatoes are perishable.
We were encouraged to grow more tomatoes as we waited for the plant.
However, several years have passed, but the plant has not been set up.
Because many farmers in Nakaseke had taken on tomato growing, we are now making terrible losses.
I appeal to whoever is supposed to bring that factory to act fast.
Ivan Sendyowa,
Kasajjombe
More food can be grown in Nebbi
EDITOR — Although I was born in Nebbi, my work has taken me to many parts of the country. However, I was particularly taken up by the similarity in the environment between Nebbi and Bushenyi.
I concluded that whatever can grow in Bushenyi, can grow in Nebbi.
So, the people of Nebbi just need a little mobilisation and they will grow as much food as those in Bushenyi. Nebbi and Zombo can be the food baskets of the West-Nile.
Agnes Mavenjina,
Paidha
Give us information about companies, crops
EDITOR — I am a keen reader of your paper, especially the Harvest Money series, and I thank you for the good work you are doing.
I am an intending farmer, but I am treading carefully in a bid to avoid mistakes that left many farmers frustrated when they took on projects like the mulberry, moringa and vanilla growing.
Of recent, some foods and beverage companies have been asking farmers to supply them with different fruits.
As result, I want to start growing oranges. Because of that, I am requesting your paper to assist farmers with accurate information on such companies and the species of fruits they want.
More so, there is a cover crop, which palm oil farmers in Kalangala use for mulching their gardens. I understand this crop has helped them to cut costs of weeding and that it is suitable for orchards.
Could you please give us more information about this crop? Thanks
Benjamin Amaitum
baamaben581@gmail.com
Has the rainy season started?
EDITOR — Last week, we experienced two rainy days. As a farmer, I am tempted to immediately begin planting whenever it rains.
However, on several occasions, I have been misled into planting only for the rains to stop shortly after.
I, therefore, call upon the weather department to come out clearly and inform us if the rains have started.
Normally, the rainy season runs from October to November.
Edward Ssekamatte,
Mukono
EDITOR’S NOTE — The meteorological department reported last week that areas of the east and north-east will be receiving heavy rains from August through September and October and there after the dry season will set in. For the central and west, there will be rains at the end of August, but not so much to warrant planting.
How is chilli grown?
EDITOR — I have land in western Uganda on which I would like to grow chilli. However, I have failed to find information on how to go about it. Can chilli grow in western Uganda? I do not know when to start planting, the conditions the crop needs and how to tend it.
I also want to find out whether there are any large scale chilli farmers in the area and a ready market for the crop. I request you to do a feature on the plant.
Janie,
Mbarara
Then and now...
Back in the day, farmers had to transport their produce to the market or produce stores, and often had to wait for a long time before they would be paid. Today, however, as a result of a growing demand for agricultural products, traders from as far as Southern Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania go right down to the farm to buy directly from the farmer. The farmers are paid up-front, or even in advance.
Don’t dry maize on the roads
EDITOR — It is common to find farmers across the country drying their maize on the tarmac roads that pass through their areas. For instance, I usually find farmers drying their maize on Tirinyi Road. I have also seen it on sections of the Kiboga-Hoima Road.
I want to appeal to farmers to stop drying their maize on the tarmac because it is dangerous.
This is because roads are constructed using a harmful chemical and elements that must not be consumed by human beings.
The maize that is dried on tarmac is contaminated by these dangerous elements, which makes it unfit for human consumption.
Ahmed Isabirye,
Jinja
Who wants to work with me?
EDITOR — I am a veteran tree farmer with 85 acres of pine, which are almost ready for harvest. In the past, I used to sell the trees to timber dealers, who would give me peanuts. Now, I want to add value by processing the timber into different products. But I have no experience in this area. So, I am looking for a partner to work with.
THE REV. Wilson Mulindwa
0772- 562-492
Help me to market my pigs
EDITOR — I am an ardent reader of your farming success stories. After being inspired by some of the stories, I started a Pig farm to supplement my income.
It has been going well, but now that the pigs are grown and ready for sale, I am facing issues with the market. The people willing to buy the pigs are offering very little money to the point of being insulting. For example, somebody offered to buy my 10-month old well fed pigs at sh60,000 each. Customers offer sh30,000 for a piglet, yet I always read about people who sell theirs at sh60,000 each. Please help me.
Dorene Agaba
EDITOR’S NOTE — You could get in touch with Susan Nambuusi at
snambuusi@newvision.co.ug or
call 0772-460776
I want to grow bamboo
Editor — I found last week’s article on bamboo quite interesting. I would like to start growing bamboo. Can you link me up with Fred Karuhanga who is in charge of the bamboo project at Luzira Prison?
S Kaali, Kampala
EDITOR’S NOTE — Karuhanga is the officer in charge of a forestation in the Uganda Prisons Service. Contact him on 0772-362143 or 0718-663843.
EDITOR — I grow tomatoes and vegetables in Nakaseke district. A few years ago, we were told that our area had been selected to have a tomato processing plant. We were told the plant would process tomatoes into various products, such as tomato sauce and jam.
The purpose of this plant was to help us, farmers, reduce on the big losses we were incurring especially in the peak seasons because tomatoes are perishable.
We were encouraged to grow more tomatoes as we waited for the plant.
However, several years have passed, but the plant has not been set up.
Because many farmers in Nakaseke had taken on tomato growing, we are now making terrible losses.
I appeal to whoever is supposed to bring that factory to act fast.
Ivan Sendyowa,
Kasajjombe
More food can be grown in Nebbi
EDITOR — Although I was born in Nebbi, my work has taken me to many parts of the country. However, I was particularly taken up by the similarity in the environment between Nebbi and Bushenyi.
I concluded that whatever can grow in Bushenyi, can grow in Nebbi.
So, the people of Nebbi just need a little mobilisation and they will grow as much food as those in Bushenyi. Nebbi and Zombo can be the food baskets of the West-Nile.
Agnes Mavenjina,
Paidha
Give us information about companies, crops
EDITOR — I am a keen reader of your paper, especially the Harvest Money series, and I thank you for the good work you are doing.
I am an intending farmer, but I am treading carefully in a bid to avoid mistakes that left many farmers frustrated when they took on projects like the mulberry, moringa and vanilla growing.
Of recent, some foods and beverage companies have been asking farmers to supply them with different fruits.
As result, I want to start growing oranges. Because of that, I am requesting your paper to assist farmers with accurate information on such companies and the species of fruits they want.
More so, there is a cover crop, which palm oil farmers in Kalangala use for mulching their gardens. I understand this crop has helped them to cut costs of weeding and that it is suitable for orchards.
Could you please give us more information about this crop? Thanks
Benjamin Amaitum
baamaben581@gmail.com
Has the rainy season started?
EDITOR — Last week, we experienced two rainy days. As a farmer, I am tempted to immediately begin planting whenever it rains.
However, on several occasions, I have been misled into planting only for the rains to stop shortly after.
I, therefore, call upon the weather department to come out clearly and inform us if the rains have started.
Normally, the rainy season runs from October to November.
Edward Ssekamatte,
Mukono
EDITOR’S NOTE — The meteorological department reported last week that areas of the east and north-east will be receiving heavy rains from August through September and October and there after the dry season will set in. For the central and west, there will be rains at the end of August, but not so much to warrant planting.
How is chilli grown?
EDITOR — I have land in western Uganda on which I would like to grow chilli. However, I have failed to find information on how to go about it. Can chilli grow in western Uganda? I do not know when to start planting, the conditions the crop needs and how to tend it.
I also want to find out whether there are any large scale chilli farmers in the area and a ready market for the crop. I request you to do a feature on the plant.
Janie,
Mbarara
Then and now...
Back in the day, farmers had to transport their produce to the market or produce stores, and often had to wait for a long time before they would be paid. Today, however, as a result of a growing demand for agricultural products, traders from as far as Southern Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania go right down to the farm to buy directly from the farmer. The farmers are paid up-front, or even in advance.
Don’t dry maize on the roads
EDITOR — It is common to find farmers across the country drying their maize on the tarmac roads that pass through their areas. For instance, I usually find farmers drying their maize on Tirinyi Road. I have also seen it on sections of the Kiboga-Hoima Road.
I want to appeal to farmers to stop drying their maize on the tarmac because it is dangerous.
This is because roads are constructed using a harmful chemical and elements that must not be consumed by human beings.
The maize that is dried on tarmac is contaminated by these dangerous elements, which makes it unfit for human consumption.
Ahmed Isabirye,
Jinja
Who wants to work with me?
EDITOR — I am a veteran tree farmer with 85 acres of pine, which are almost ready for harvest. In the past, I used to sell the trees to timber dealers, who would give me peanuts. Now, I want to add value by processing the timber into different products. But I have no experience in this area. So, I am looking for a partner to work with.
THE REV. Wilson Mulindwa
0772- 562-492
Help me to market my pigs
EDITOR — I am an ardent reader of your farming success stories. After being inspired by some of the stories, I started a Pig farm to supplement my income.
It has been going well, but now that the pigs are grown and ready for sale, I am facing issues with the market. The people willing to buy the pigs are offering very little money to the point of being insulting. For example, somebody offered to buy my 10-month old well fed pigs at sh60,000 each. Customers offer sh30,000 for a piglet, yet I always read about people who sell theirs at sh60,000 each. Please help me.
Dorene Agaba
EDITOR’S NOTE — You could get in touch with Susan Nambuusi at
snambuusi@newvision.co.ug or
call 0772-460776
I want to grow bamboo
Editor — I found last week’s article on bamboo quite interesting. I would like to start growing bamboo. Can you link me up with Fred Karuhanga who is in charge of the bamboo project at Luzira Prison?
S Kaali, Kampala
EDITOR’S NOTE — Karuhanga is the officer in charge of a forestation in the Uganda Prisons Service. Contact him on 0772-362143 or 0718-663843.