Ibrahim Kasita
4 December 2008
Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed a halt to the current attempts to introduce and spread organic cotton growing in the northern region.
The ban is targeted at the US cotton merchant Dunavant, the firm that is spearheading organic cotton growing in the north.
Organic cotton growing only relies on natural inputs without using synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. With organic farming, farmers need a minimum of one year to train before they can start-off.
But Dunavant, according to industry experts, has failed to sensitise and train farmers about organic farming.
It also failed to provide effective and efficient agronomical extension services to the farmers.
Bright Rwamirama, the agriculture state minister, disclosed on Wednesday in an exclusive interview that the President issued the directive in a bid to stop low cotton production which has impoverished "his people."
"The President took the decision to stop en-masse introduction of organic cotton in the east and northern regions because the farmers have not been provided with sufficient and effective organic pesticides," he explained.
"He (President) pointed out that the decision by the ginners to push for only organic cotton made the crop vulnerable to damage by pests, leading to lower yields."
The minister indicated that Museveni pointed out that the organic promoters had failed to provide extension services and farm inputs to the farmers even with the Government's 50% subsidies on tractors.
He said the President observed that even the high premium promised to the organic farmers was not offered, leaving the farmer incurring losses as the yields dropped drastically.
"The agriculture ministry has zoned few areas where we shall allow organic cotton growing for our local industry which adds value to our raw materials to serve a niche market," said Rwamirama.
"We want to make sure that the farmer involved in organic cotton gets the premium, is well trained and prepared for organic farming."
He revealed that the President directed the ministry to gazette organic cotton growing areas in only Lango sub-region and other few areas involved in organic farming.
"Those investors promoting organic cotton outside the gazetted areas are just gambling and if they continue doing it illegally, we shall deal with them accordingly," vowed the minister.
"I am writing to the Cotton Development Organisation (CDO) to issue a circular informing all the ginners about this development that takes immediate effect.
"We are working out a framework and policy for organic production which includes other crops."
Rwamirama disclosed that scientists at the National Agricultural Research Organisation "are regretting the serious mistake to allow organic cotton growing without laying down the fundamentals."
The minister assured the public that official gazetted organic farming areas will receive effective organic pesticides and DDT will not be sprayed.
He disclosed that the agricultural ministry, ginners and the finance ministry were in negotiations to ensure that cotton prices were stabilised and cushioned against the effects of the global financial crisis.
Uganda's cotton yields have declined over the years from 476,000 bales in 1969 to 60,000 bales last year.
Cotton earnings also fell by 4% to $19.5m in 2007 from $20.4m in 2006.
This was attributed to mass introduction of organic cotton growing in the north and eastern regions, the traditional cotton-producing areas that exposed the crop to pests and diseases.
The New Vision has consistently and accurately reported activities of Dunavant in the north in which they were carrying out organic farming without first preparing the farmers adequately.
This defiant decision made the crop vulnerable to pests, leading to lower yields, impoverishing the farmer.
At one point, Dunavant vowed to fight the Government.
"I am not ready to listen to the Government or CDO.
"I will fight them," Patel Ravi, the Dunavant managing director, vowed.
"The Government should not regulate my activities because I have done a lot to empower the people in the north."
With the strict directives, it is not clear whether Dunavant will wage a war it promised but industry experts have welcomed the Government's decision.
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