Farmers petition Museveni over inputs
Aug 04, 2010
FARMERS have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the control of adulterated agricultural inputs, which they say are flooding the market, causing untold losses to rural communities.
By Frank Mugabi
FARMERS have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the control of adulterated agricultural inputs, which they say are flooding the market, causing untold losses to rural communities.
Charles Ogang, the president of the Uganda National Farmers Federation, said some traders had continued to cheat farmers by supplying poor quality items.
“The farmers end up investing a lot of money in the fake inputs and harvesting very little or nothing at all,†Ogang noted. Ogang, who was briefing the President during his tour of the agricultural and trade show which ended in Jinja town recently, called for stringent regulations and punitive action against the unscrupulous traders.
Museveni re-echoed his call for a shift from traditional to modern farming. He said the idea should be centred on how to adopt modern farming methods. The President urged farmers to remain vigilant and report suspected dealers to relevant authorities.
Hope Mwesigye, the agriculture minister, said plans were underway to address the problem through the comprehensive agriculture development programme.
FARMERS have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the control of adulterated agricultural inputs, which they say are flooding the market, causing untold losses to rural communities.
Charles Ogang, the president of the Uganda National Farmers Federation, said some traders had continued to cheat farmers by supplying poor quality items.
“The farmers end up investing a lot of money in the fake inputs and harvesting very little or nothing at all,†Ogang noted. Ogang, who was briefing the President during his tour of the agricultural and trade show which ended in Jinja town recently, called for stringent regulations and punitive action against the unscrupulous traders.
Museveni re-echoed his call for a shift from traditional to modern farming. He said the idea should be centred on how to adopt modern farming methods. The President urged farmers to remain vigilant and report suspected dealers to relevant authorities.
Hope Mwesigye, the agriculture minister, said plans were underway to address the problem through the comprehensive agriculture development programme.