MAAIF impounds fake agro-inputs worth Shs30m in Masindi
Wandera says only five of the 17 shops inspected had all the required certificates, while five others had expired certificates of premises.
Masindi: The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has impounded fake and expired agro-inputs worth 30 million shillings and closed five agro-input shops in Masindi Municipality.
The enforcement operation was conducted on Friday by MAAIF officials together with Masindi Municipal Council to inspect the quality of agricultural inputs, certification of premises and other required documents.
George Wandera, an Inspector at MAAIF, says 17 agro-input shops were inspected, leading to the recovery of about 200 litres of fake and expired pesticides and 170 kilograms of unregistered, expired and fake fertilizers.
“Masindi is the hotspot because most of the inputs buy their products in Masindi and once the issue is addressed in Masindi, then Kiryandongo will also be safe. Those who closed and took off, we shall have targeted operation for them,” Wandera said.
Wandera says only five of the 17 shops inspected had all the required certificates, while five others had expired certificates of premises.
He says the enforcement is aimed at curbing the sale of fake, expired and unlicensed agricultural inputs, which have caused losses to farmers, including beneficiaries of government agricultural programmes.
Wandera has advised farmers to always check expiry dates before purchasing agro-inputs and urged dealers to avoid buying products from unlicensed companies.
He says the enforcement also followed an operation in Kiryandongo District, where officials recovered seeds packed in 2024 that had developed weevils, affecting their quality.
Davis Barungi, the Masindi Municipal Agricultural Inspector, has appealed to agro-input dealers to obtain all the required certificates and sell only licensed products.
Barungi has also urged dealers to obtain certificates of premises, observe safe-use requirements and employ trained personnel to handle agro-chemicals.
He says the municipality has organised several training sessions on the safe use of chemicals for agro-input dealers, but attendance has remained low.
Paul Omoko, the Masindi Municipal Town Clerk, applauded MAAIF for the enforcement, saying safety is important, particularly for people handling agro-chemicals.
Omoko urged MAAIF to extend the inspections to rural areas where many agro-input shops operate.
Gerald Mugume, an agro-input dealer, challenged MAAIF to ensure that only licensed manufacturers sell agricultural products, saying dealers can incur losses because they may not know which companies are unlicensed.
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