Farmers advised to adopt grain-growing
He told this publication that the annual expo has linked farmers to service providers, thus improving their income..
Masindi: Farmers in Masindi district have been urged to embrace the growing of grains so as to cope with the changing climatic conditions.
The call was made by David Mutazindwa, Chairman of the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), during a two-day 12th annual Agribusiness Expo organized by the EAGC at the Masindi district agricultural demonstration center.
The Expo took place from June 28 to 29 under the theme “Promoting Sustainable Food Systems and Climate-Smart Agriculture for Inclusive Trade and Wealth Creation.”.
It attracted companies and organizations that exhibited the tools, inputs, and facilities that farmers need to enhance their production.
Mutazindwa assured farmers of the ready market for grains such as millet and sorghum, both in Uganda and the East African Community, adding that they take a short time to grow and are drought-resistant.
While reading the speech for Gerald Masila, the Executive Director, EAGC, Paul Ochuna, Country Manager, Uganda, said the EAGC plays a key role in the promotion of a structured trading system facilitated through organizing farmers into Grain Business Hubs (Ghubs).
Additionally, he said the organization offers valuable market information systems via the Regional Agricultural Trade Intelligence Network platform, does evidence-based policy advocacy, provides comprehensive training and capacity-building programs, and facilitates market access by linking buyers to sellers.
Benjamin Aijuka, the Programs Manager of the EAGC, advises farmers to shift from traditional crops like maize and beans that are no longer doing well because of climate change and try varieties that aren’t much affected by climate change, like sorghum and millet, and grow them commercially because they are not affected by aflatoxins and are in high demand in East Africa.
The minister of state for children and youth affairs, Dr. Balaam Barugahara, commended the Eastern African Grain Council for organizing a two-day annual event, saying farmers will acquire knowledge on how to improve their yields.
He therefore asked the public to embrace the Agribusiness Expo so as to improve their yields, food security, and household income.
Barugahara also advised farmers to invest in food crops so as to improve food security and those with inadequate land to avoid growing cash crops like sugarcane.
On his part, James Balikurungi, the LC3 Chairperson for Labbongo Sub County, says the expo has done a lot to boost agricultural production in the area by equipping the farmers with the knowledge of the right agronomic practices.
The chairperson therefore urged the farmers in the district to embrace the expo and practice what they learned from it for their own good.
Wabyoona Tadeo, a farmer from Bbookwe Village, Labbongo Sub County, revealed that farmers experience challenges in marketing their produce, which has seen middlemen using it as an opportunity to exploit them.
He, however, says the formation of cooperatives will enable them to get rid of the middlemen and sell their produce at good prices.
Alex Olengo, the regional relations manager for Stehl Ltd., said they have been able to exhibit their machines, like the handle hoe tool, and he is optimistic they will be linked to farmers and be able to sell their machines even after the expo.
Darius Twikiriza, the Bunyoro Regional Manager for Grain Pulse, is optimistic that farmers have gained agricultural knowledge from the expo and will improve their yields.
Muhamood Kyamanywa, a farmer from Pakanyi Sub County, told this publication that the annual expo has linked farmers to service providers, thus improving their income.
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