Beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Oyam district, involved in farming enterprises, have expressed their concern over the low prices of agricultural products. They fear that this may impact their efforts to put the PDM funds to productive use.
The beneficiaries state that they used the funds to purchase seeds such as maize hybrids, sunflower hybrids, and pesticides to combat diseases. However, their concerns are centered on the low prices of maize, sunflower, and soybeans in the market during this second harvest.
Cypriyano Ogoo, a beneficiary from Bario Parish in Abok Sub-county, Oyam district, mentions that he invested the money in farming activities and planted 5 hectares of maize this season. However, with the plummeting maize prices, he is worried about not making a substantial profit.
Ogeny Geoffrey from Ariba Parish in Ngai Sub-county, Oyam district, says that he invested PDM money in planting 6 hectares of sunflower. He’s concerned that the market prices for sunflower may not allow him to recover the money he invested in his fields.
Ogwal Robert, hailing from Otwal Sub-county, Oyam district, specifically in Kutodingo Parish, highlights that all PDM beneficiaries engaged in agricultural enterprises, including pig rearing and crop production, are anxious about the low market prices and disease outbreaks on their farms.
Currently, in Oyam district, maize is being purchased at 800 UGX per kilogram, down from 1,000 UGX per kilogram. Sunflower is priced at 700 UGX per kilogram since the post-harvest period this year, and soybeans are at 1,600 UGX per kilogram, down from 1,800 UGX per kilogram this year.
Oyam district received 7 billion shillings this year under the PDM project, out of the planned 7.4 billion shillings. Of that amount, 3.5 billion shillings have already been disbursed to 74 parishes in Oyam district.
