Uganda: Agriculture ministry investigating seed dealers

Date:08-02-2011

The Ministry of agriculture is investigating seed dealers to weed fake seeds from the market.

Komayombi Bulegeya, the commissioner for crop protection, said some seed companies were buying dead grain, which they paint and sell to farmers.

Bulegeya said the seed certification service unit, which is responsible for inspecting seed stockists, was carrying out the investigations.

"Those found selling uncertified seeds will be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned, saying the vice had caused huge losses to unsuspecting farmers.

The commissioner was opening a workshop organised by the Uganda Seed Traders Association in Kampala.
Bulegeya said if the problem was not checked, it might tarnish the image of the seed industry in Uganda.

He, however, declined to mention the seed companies implicated in the vice.

"Those implicated will be arrested and charged according to the law. It is, therefore, incumbent upon seed companies to protect and regulate each other to protect the name of the industry and win farmers’ confidence in certified seeds,” he said. According to the Seed and Crop Act, one can be fined, imprisoned or fined and jailed if found guilty.

Uganda produces 1.8 million tonnes of grain each year.

But due to attractive prices, almost half of it is exported to South Sudan, the DR Congo and Kenya.

This can be done through policing each other because the ministry is looking at partnership with seed companies though the primary responsibility is for the ministry Komayombi added.