MAAIF closes unlicensed agro-chemical shops in Ntungamo
She stressed that they have conducted several sensitization workshops on the matter, but agro-chemical dealers are reluctant.
By Deguras Nshutaminabo
Ntungamo: The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal, Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has embarked on an exercise to close down all unlicensed agro-chemical shops and those flouting the rules and regulations governing their operations in the south-western region and Ntungamo district in particular.
According to the senior agriculture inspector in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), Fred Muzila, six unlicensed agro-chemical shops in Ntungamo Municipality have been closed.
Speaking to the media Muzila, who led the operation with the police, said the seal locks they used in locking up those shops would be removed only after the shops had obtained the necessary permits and had met certain requirements and conditions.
He was mesmerized to find out that some agro-chemical shops of agricultural officers were unlicensed and others manned by unskilled personnel warning them that they risked being arrested.
Muzila noted that they will intensify their operations in the areas of Rubaare, Rwentobo, Rwashamaire, Nyamukana, Kitwe, and Kafunjo, among others.
He asked input dealers to take advantage of the grace period to get requirements from the office district agricultural officer Ntungamo to enable them to operate effectively and tasked the farmers with stopping buying inputs from unauthorized dealers.
The district agricultural officer, Atwiine Esther, stressed that they have conducted several sensitization workshops on the matter, but agro-chemical dealers are reluctant.
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