Acoli farmers count losses due to heavy rains

Farmers in Acoli are counting losses due to the heavy rains currently being experienced in the
area.

The heavy rains that started in May have destroyed several kilometres of roads cutting off farmers from markets. In Gulu district, at least 332 kilometres of road and 8 bridges have collapsed due to heavy downpours over the last two months.

Meanwhile, in Paicho Sub County where Paicho Area Cooperative Enterprise is located, farmers are now spending more to take their maize, beans and soya beans for storage.

“A distance which used to cost 2,000 shillings on a Boda-boda is now costing Shs 4,000. This will greatly affect profits,” Charles Obwona, the Chairperson, Paicho Area Cooperative Enterprise said.

The co-op Chairperson is concerned that the increased transport costs could put the farmers at
the mercy of unscrupulous middlemen.

“I am afraid some of our members may be tempted to sell off their crops to middle men who
manage to manoeuvre to the villages.

Paicho Area Cooperative Enterprise Limited which mainly grows Maize, soya beans and beans
has a total of 295 members.

Obwona also noted that several farmers are unable to harvest and dry their crops because of
the constant rains.

“Many of our members are struggling to harvest their crops which are rotting in the garden,” he
said.

Meanwhile, in Nwoya district, hundreds of farmers in Alero and Lungulu have been cut off after Wii Aswa Bridge that connects the two sub counties got destroyed by heavy rains.

Farmers have resorted to using a longer alternative route of over 15 kilometres via Amuru
district to access a nearby market. The same market is located just one kilometre away using
the now broken bridge.

Anywar Peter Okumu, the Nwoya District Roads Engineer says the district plans to build a
temporary bridge so that farmers do not lose out.

In Agago district, Charles Odyek, the Chairperson of Lukole Cooperative which has 1,775
members says farmers are stuck with their crops in the garden.

“Farmers are right now busy harvesting but bringing the crops to the store is a challenge
because the roads are in a bad state,” he said.

As a result, Odyek said, their 100 metric tonne store is still empty, but hopes that farmers who
have resorted to buying tarpaulins to dry their crops will soon start bringing their harvest in.
Lukole Cooperative mainly deals in soya beans, maize, simsim and sorghum.

Farmers are worried that repair works of destroyed roads may take long to start as political
leaders are now busy with campaigns.

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