Uganda People News: Farmers urged to work together in groups

Ultimate Media

Members of Parliament have called upon cotton farmers in the Northern Region to organise themselves in groups so that they can access farming tools from the Cotton Development Organisation.

This was during the investigations by the committee on Agriculture, animal and fisheries into the cotton petition that was presented by Agago district woman member of parliament.

During investigations the committee learnt that there were middle men exploiting farmers by buying cotton at shillings 800, 600 instead of the selling fee of shillings 1200 that was announced by the cotton development organisation.

The Chairperson of the Committee Dr. Kasirivu Atwooki  who is also    the member of parliament , Bugangaizi west in Kibale district informed farmers that groups would help have trusted representatives so that they can contribute to buying and transportation of cotton to the ginneries to avoid the middle agents that exploit them.

He pledged to convene a meeting of cotton stakeholders, the ginners and the Ministry of Agriculture to resolve the matter of cotton prices which is affecting cotton farmers.

 The farmers requested members of Parliament to intervene and make policies that will enable them make agreements with the stakeholders (ginners) for them to have fixed prices so as to resolve the matter of price fluctuations.

They also requested government to construct more ginneries in their area so as they can have market for their cotton production.

The managing Director of the cotton Development Organisation, Jolly Sabunah mentioned to Members of Parliament that they provide ox- ploughs to organised groups of farmers and the farmers provide themselves with oxen.

However farmers in Oyam requested the government to provide them with the Ox- Ploughs as well. They questioned Cotton Development Organisation on selling them the seeds yet they used to get them for free.