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Uganda: Farmers, Produce!
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New Vision (Kampala)
EDITORIAL
9 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
Kampala
FOOD prices in Uganda have been rising in the last six months. In many instances, prices have more than doubled. World prices have also been rising due to growing demand from Asia and a shift of cereal use to the production of bio-fuels.
This situation has been aggravated by some countries, especially in Asia, imposing restrictions on food exports to maintain a level of food security within their borders.
There is an opportunity for Ugandan farmers in all this mayhem. They should boost production through improved agricultural practices, like the use of high yielding seeds, irrigation, fertilizers and better storage systems to reduce post-harvest losses.
Currently Africa's yield per acre is the lowest in the world. The productivity of Asian and Latin American farms is more than double that of African farms.
A survey of Ugandan farms shows that productivity is low, not because of lack of effort but because of lack of information.
Resources need to be invested in a determined education process to increase farm productivity.
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The Government, through NAADS and NARO, should step up research into modern methods and high yielding varieties, and provide free advice to farmers.
It would also help to reactivate the co-operative movements, which used to improve farmers' chances of better prices by pooling their products.
In addition, the government should subsidise farm inputs, such as better quality seeds and fertilizers. Uganda is gifted by nature. Farmers should wake up to the unprecedented chances offered by today's world.
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