KAMPALA. Despite having vast wetlands with fertile soils, farmers in Uganda harvest low rice yields due to the long dry spells.
Attributing the poor harvest to dry spells, the farmers who rely on the weather for their agricultural activities say that the lack of water on their farms is the leading cause of losses
However, while presenting a paper on the status rice production at Fairway Hotel Mr Cleopas Mucunguzi the Ministry of Agriculture rice expert, says although cereals are very susceptible to dry spells, farmers should embark on irrigation as a measure to counter the losses on farms.
“Farmers should also seek to increase the availability and use of agricultural technologies to maximize and sustain rice productivity in rice gardens,” said Mr Mucunguzi.
Mr Mucunguzi was speaking to PML Daily on how to improve rice productivity in the country to attain self-sufficiency and address food security and sustainability.
Statistics from ministry of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries indicate that Uganda produces 247,000 metric tons of rice every year and imports 40,000 metric tons of rice into the country.
Although the ministry’s target is to produce 680,000 metric tons by 2020, Uganda is still operating below level that even what is produced is less than what is consumed. Ends