Farmers’ Plight: The Struggle Against Counterfeit Seeds in Uganda
In a plea to Members of Parliament, the Uganda National Agro-input Dealers Association (UNADA) has called for the introduction of legislation to control the sale of counterfeit seeds. Farmers across the nation are grappling with the issue of purchasing seeds that turn out to be fake, leading to non-germination and severe losses. UNADA director Mark Moro emphasizes the need for protective laws to safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure they receive accurate information and authentic products.
Moro has also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to establish a system for registering and licensing agro-input dealers. The current market is flooded with products of unknown authenticity, leaving farmers at a loss. UNADA’s proposed agricultural distribution policy would require input producers to register with them and undergo stringent regulatory assessments, aiming to create a production and distribution chain that would deter the proliferation of counterfeit seeds.
Speaking during a regional consultative meeting on the implementation of the national seed policy in northern Uganda, Moro pointed out the challenges posed by counterfeit seeds. He highlighted that Uganda’s seed policy dates back to 1935, making regulation of fake seeds a daunting task. To address this issue, he calls for collaboration and increased information sharing. Notably, Uganda only has seven seed inspectors and one vehicle responsible for inspecting seeds nationwide. Moro advises districts to establish by-laws regulating seeds within their regions.
Nelson Masereka Sirikani, the Executive Director of the Uganda Seed Trade Association (USTA), has encouraged farmers to only purchase seeds with a blue label bearing the USTA mark, ensuring their authenticity. He stresses the importance of farmer vigilance in the face of limited information, emphasizing that poor storage practices can render even genuine seeds useless.
Ochepa Peter Ekiru, Executive Director of SORUDA, appeals to district leaders to handle seeds carefully to combat the issue of poor quality seeds. Enhancing monitoring of seeds and promoting awareness of the national seed policy among stakeholders is essential to ensure the availability of quality seeds to smallholder farmers and promote a shift from subsistence agriculture to a more profitable agricultural economy.
Patrick Muwenda Agaba, the Lamwo district production officer, describes their efforts in producing quality declared seeds with high yields. To prevent the distribution of counterfeit seeds, they have implemented germination tests for seeds provided to farmers by NGOs supporting refugees at Palabek refugee settlement.
Christopher Opiyo Ateker, Gulu district LC5 chairperson, holds the government accountable for the presence of counterfeit seeds in the market, emphasizing the need for agricultural extension workers to better support farmers. Omoro district chairperson Peter Douglas Okello calls for the establishment of farmers’ seed schools and village seed banks to assist farmers in identifying and accessing the best seeds.
Lamwo Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Osborn Oceng shares his personal experience of losing 2.7 million shillings due to the non-germination of maize seeds. He highlights the need to educate farmers about purchasing seeds from certified agro-input dealers. Dominic Idro, director of Capable International, an organization supporting farmers in Omoro, Nwoya, and Lamwo, criticizes the current policy’s ineffectiveness in addressing the issue of counterfeit seeds in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
