PALLISA-Farmers in Pallisa District have been urged to take advantage of the current rains to grow fast maturing crops in order to address famine following a prolonged dry spell.
Ms Getrude Nalumansi, the district agriculture officer, advised farmers to grow crops like maize, sweet potatoes and cassava to address the food crisis.
“Let’s make use of the prevailing rains to plant fast growing crops and address famine. Many people realised poor harvests because of the prolonged drought,” she said.
The dry spell saw many gardens of maize, beans and ground nuts dry up and the agriculture officer said the rains may not last long.
“It’s going to be a hard season due to the ending long dry spell that completely withered all crops, leaving [families] them in dire need of food support. Our people are likely to face hunger because there is no food,” she said
Ms Nalumansi also urged residents not to sell the little food that they have as this will worsen the situation. “People should save the little they have because the situation is likely to be tougher,” she warned.
