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New Vision (Kampala)
November 5, 2003
Posted to the web November 5, 2003
Alice Emasu
Kampala
Waste : Farmers are abandoning ripening crops in the gardens and fleeing for dear life
The presence of Kony's LRA rebels in northeastern Uganda may cause huge economic loss to the Teso economy.
As the Iteso grapple with the loss of lives, the farmers are even more worried about the looming reality of the loss of their livelihoods.
the growing of epuripur, the sorghum used in the production of Eagle beer is likely to fail as a result of the rebels' invason of the region.
The sorghum, introduced in 2002, had started flourishing and the farmers in Teso had started reaping handsome dividends from it.
However, LRA's intensified attacks in Teso since June might nip the harvest in the bud. Kony's attacks compel the farmers to abandon their farms and homes for dear life.
The majority of the farmers from especially the affected sub-counties of Katine, Arapai and some parts of Gweri in Soroti district and from Katakwi and Kaberamaido have been forced out of their villages into protected camps. Some farmers have actually fled the region and are roaming the streets of Kampala in search of jobs.
The massive exodus of farmers at the time of harvesting the first season and planting the second one of epuripur, which started in August has greatly affected the progress of the crop. Currently, in Soroti alone, the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) stands at 136,112. In the rural areas they are more than 24,000.
The National Agricultural Advisory Service coordinator in Soroti, Charles Aben says, "It's a very good programme, well integrated and has market linkages".
He says in Soroti alone, the Epuripur fetched
sh75m from 2000 acres during the second season, last year. He says, early this year, during the first planting, the district raised sh120m from another 2000 acres.
"If the insecurity had not interfered with the harvesting of the crop, especially in Katine, Arapai and some parts of Gweri sub-counties, we expected to get more," Aben explains. in those sub-counties, the Epuripur was not harvested.
He says many farmers, particularly in Soroti had picked interest in the crop because it is easy to grow.
To minimise losses, the Nile Breweries officials have considered decentralising the growing of the Epuripur, which, of course, means an economic slap in the face of the Iteso farmers.
Ian Mackintosh, technical director for Nile Breweries says 50% of what his company used for the production of Eagle beer, was planted in Teso and only 20% of the expected yields was achieved.
Teso region is comprised of four districts, namely, Kumi, Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido.
"Most of the crop was lost in Katakwi and Kaberamaido districts.
We also lost part of the crop to farmers in the affected sub-counties of Soroti districts. The loss was mainly due to the current insecurity in the region," Mackintosh explains.
"We are however, not pulling out of Teso completely. We shall continue to support the farmers especially in areas which are still secure," he says. He says if the security situation improves, the company will concentrate in Teso as the main production region for the sorghum.
He adds that the Epuripur was to offer an alternative source of income to the Iteso farmers who had for so long relied on cattle. He says his company needs 3,500 tonnes of the Epuripur every year.
there are countries like Ethiopia, Zambia and Tanzania which have expressed interest to manufacture Eagle beer. He says there is an opportunity for these counties to import the crop from Uganda.
Nile Breweries has a guarantee agreement with the farmers to ensure that if they produce high quality seeds which it would buy at sh300 a kilogramme.
The company sells Epuripur seeds at sh200 a kilogramme and also gives credit facilities to farmers who cannot afford paying cash.
In the open market, the Epuripur seeds are sold at sh8,100 per kg which is much more expensive.
