Farmers in the lower lands of Kasese district have asked the government through their leaders to link them to better and wider markets for their produce. The farmers argue that markets in Kasese town are hard to access due to the poor road network.
Matia Masereka, a farmer from Muhokya Sub County, says that since farmers tend to plant at the start of the rainy season there is a tendency for nearly all of them to harvest at the same time, which creates excess supply leading to low prices. He says that many farmers are frustrated because the practice is no longer profitable due to limited markets.
Uzia Muhesi, another farmer from Karusandara Sub County says it’s disappointing that leaders encourage people to go into farming without securing markets for their produce.
He says the limited market coupled with the poor road network increases transport costs, which directly affects their returns. “On average, it takes about one hour for me to move from Kabaka village here to Kasese town and during rainy season like now the roads are almost impassable,” Muhesi said.
Asa Kisuke, a farmer in Mubuku also wants the government to expand irrigation in the area to help farmers produce more conveniently and at different periods.
Jovia Muhindo, another farmer from the same area, says that she is renting land in Mubuku for growing green vegetables and maize but she faces the challenge of a limited market. For a second season, Muhindo says she has been unable to recover her financial input.
The Kasese Principal Agricultural Officer, Julius Rukara, says farmers who are keen on earning bigger profits must make smart decisions and do what the other farmers are not doing including storing their produce longer until there is a better market and price.
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