Masindi agro-chemical dealers warned gainst selling expired, fake inputs
The workshop, which commenced on Monday, concluded with over 30 participants receiving certificates for completing the training.
Masindi: Authorities in Masindi District have issued a strong warning to agrochemical dealers against selling expired or counterfeit inputs, emphasizing that violators will face legal action.
The warning was delivered on Friday by Job Byaruhanga, the Masindi District Agricultural Officer, during the closing ceremony of a five-day training on the safe use of agrochemicals and seeds.
The workshop, organized by Bright Institute of Agriculture, took place in Kyetegya Cell, Kigulya Division, Masindi Municipality.
Byaruhanga revealed that some agrochemical shop operators lacked proper knowledge on handling farm inputs, while others were selling expired or fake products and operating without registration.
“Now that the training is complete, we will immediately conduct inspections to eliminate those selling expired or fake inputs. We cannot allow farmers to suffer losses due to substandard products,” he stated.
The district agricultural officer outlined the risks associated with expired and counterfeit agricultural inputs, including; crop failure, financial loss, wasted time and effort, health hazards to humans and environmental damage.
Byaruhanga further warned that agricultural police will arrest and prosecute any dealer found violating regulations.
Davis Barungi, Director of Bright Agricultural Institute, urged participants to become responsible sellers of certified agro-inputs, ensuring they uphold high standards in serving the farming community.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Nantongo Mutebi, Senior Agricultural Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), encouraged the trained agrochemical dealers to register their businesses with the ministry for compliance.
While closing the workshop, Patrick Asiimwe, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Masindi, announced that authorities would begin shutting down all untrained and unlicensed agrochemical shops.
“With this training completed, our next step is enforcement. Any dealer operating without proper certification will not be allowed to continue,” Asiimwe declared.
One of the participants, James Masela, expressed gratitude for the training, noting that the skills acquired would help him open an agrochemical shop and educate fellow farmers on proper input use.
The workshop, which commenced on Monday, concluded with over 30 participants receiving certificates for completing the training.
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