Best farmer losses 3,000 eucalyptus to wild fire

Feb 12, 2019

“It is a big loss to the farm yet we used sh8m to establish the farm,” Dr Orech said adding they have lost close to sh60-sh80m.

KOLE -Dr Isaac Orech, one of the farmers who participated in the New Vision Best Farmer Competition in 2016 is counting losses after fire razed his five acres of  eucalyptus and pine trees.
 
The farm is located at Oderwot village, Akalo sub county, Kole district.
 
According to Orech the wild fire was set by a woman identified as Auma Josephine some distance away but spread fast to the farm since there was wind and swept off an estimated 3,000 trees.
 
The most affected, Dr Orech explained, was eucalyptus and small portion of pines (about 200 stems).
 
"It is a big loss to the farm yet we used sh8m to establish the farm," Dr Orech said adding they have lost close to sh60-sh80m.
 
Dr Orech has 25 acres of eucalyptus and pines and in 2016 he participated in the Best Farmer Competition.
 
Julius Peter Okot, the farm manger said the incident happened on February, 1, 2019 and he reported the matter to Akalo Police station.
 
Dr Orech told New vision on Tuesday that the Police have taken up the matter and they are investigating. "We are waiting for the report of their investigation because we know the lady who set the fire."
 
But Okot said although he reported the matter to Police, he is unwilling to proceed with the case due to conflict which is rising as a result of the incident.
 
"We are neighbors and I don't want to proceed with the case. God will pay them because it is escalating to grudge and conflict," he said.  According to Okot the woman stubbornly agreed to pay only sh50, 000 but later refused.
 
The district secretary for production and marketing, Alfonse Aracha expressed concern over the numerous fires set by the community.
 
"It is a big concern, as the district secretary for production and marketing we are coming out with ordinance to discourage bush burning," he said.   
 
"As I speak now the ordinance is before the Attorney General for approval," he said adding that local councils will be tasked with the responsibility of sensitising the community.

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