NAJEERA– Key players in the Civil Society sector and farmers have called upon the government through its various Ministries and Agencies, to work closely with local farmers in improving upon food production.
During the media training held at Esella Hotel in Najeera , on Wednesday, these advised the government not to just look on as indigenous seeds are being threatened by the costly hybrid seeds.
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Jane Nalunga, the Executive Director of SEATINI noted that despite of the well known relevance of the ‘seed’ issue in the country’s economic and Cultural matters, In Uganda it has not been given enough attention that it requires.
“The Government should put all matters related to seed in public domain on top of promoting Farmers’ seeds. If that is not done , we are most likely to face hunger challenges as a country since majority of our farmers can’t keep on buying seeds every season.” Remarked Nalunga
She also expressed her worry on dangerous chemicals (pesticides and insecticides) used on hybrid seeds that these not only kill pests but also kill important organisms as well causing a negative impact to the surrounding environment.
“Farmers buy seeds expensively but when it comes to harvesting, they end up with no ready market or selling them at lower prices which has forced many out the business. Formal seed production system is being promoted at the expense of farmer saved system.”
“Seed is a big business but there is a lot of imbalance to the extent that the focus is more on the formal sector i.e. the World Bank is supporting the seed sector (breeders) without supporting the farmers.”
Denis Natukunda Tabaro, the Executive Director of AFRICE , emphasized that most people have resorted to growing hybrid crops after being misled by some individuals that the indigenous crops are less productive, forgetting that the problem starts with the soils which have been already depleted by chemicals and organic fertilizers.
“We are facing a lot challenges due to climate change and one of biggest drivers of Climate Change is Agriculture. We are much concerned about is mono culture and the growing of hybrid seeds Genetically Modified Seeds and having big plantation Agriculture which are chemical intensive.”
He pointed out these have destroyed the soils, led to pollution of water sources, u defined human diseases and sicknesses
“Our indigenous food systems are nutritious, are bio diversity and ecologically friendly. Different practices for indigenous seeds like mixed farming, rain harvesting , planting different crops together is known to reduce the amount of loss of bio diversity and responsible for our good health.”
Tabaro further advised that the government should involve indigenous farmers in developing Agro ecology policy because they are the custodians of the seed.
Rose Nagitta Farmer from Mityana District pointed out , that as farmers what they need from government is more sensitization campaigns on better farming practices, ready market, better infrastructure, financial support and security.
Background
According to international Center for Tropical Agriculture, about 80 to 90 percent of the World’s seed is derived informal seed system.
The National Seed policy 2018 of Uganda acknowledges both the formal and informal seed system. Unfortunately the informal seed system which supplies around 85 percent of planting seed to over 75 percent of the farming community is neither recognized nor supported by the country’s seed laws and regulations.
