The Agriculture department of Lugari sub-county is warning maize farmers against exploitation by unscrupulous middle men this season. Instead, the farmers should jealously store their maize besides ensuring they have enough food reserves for their domestic consumption until grain prices improved.
According to Mary Kaziga from the sub-county Agriculture department, the middlemen had stormed rich grain harvesting areas with a view to exploiting maize farmers following the current glut.
Kaziga said agriculture department had intensified extension services aimed at sensitizing farmers on excellent grain storage methods that will enable them keep their reserves for a long period as they continue to wait for better returns.
The Officer was addressing residents, on behalf of the sub count agriculture officer where she called on farmers to use this short season rains to cultivate short season crops like vegetables and other horticultural produce with a view to improving their households incomes.
She also underlined the importance of farmers joining cooperative societies arguing that it was through such organizations that better prices will be realized.
Kaziga also reminded farmers who were rushing to register and get sorghum seeds from a non-governmental organization in the area to know that the seeds are being given as loan and they should understands the terms and condition before agreeing to be given the seeds to avoid getting into trouble, saying the organization has not involved agriculture office in its activities in the sub county.
