The cooperative chairperson, Augustine Kule whose family is also among the 30 agents' families camped at Booma grounds said they have sold some of their personal and company belongings to clear farmer’s debts but the debt still remains huge.
Tumwizere also told URN that the advisors will be essential in supporting the government in implementing the recently launched parish development model.
Emmanuel Tumwizere, the Regional UCDA Coordinator, says that they are in a campaign to motivate farmers to boost their production and productivity. He mentioned that their research established that a stumped coffee plant produces three times as much yield as the farmer can get from an old tree.
Joseph Kawuchi, the agribusiness manager at Uganda Breweries Limited, says they are going to use apple as an additional raw material in their production line opening up a big market for the local farmers.
According to the bye-law, a household will pay Shillings 5000 per month to access the valley dams while infected animals are barred from accessing the water points.
Patience Mirembe, who joined farming for the first time starting –off with five acres of Maize, says the worms are eating any green leaf, especially during morning and night periods. She wants the agricultural officials to come in and establish the exact worm and offer guidance to the farmers.
Asuman Abubakar Kule, the Muhokya Town Clerk, says that Queen Elizabeth national park is susceptible to human-wildlife conflicts, arguing that more ranger outposts would in the short run help to enhance security for both the community, wildlife and tourists.
In September, Alinda was arrested on allegations of extorting money from coffee nursery bed operators before inspecting their beds. The nursery bed operators also accuse Alinda of using his office to allocate coffee supply contracts to persons who do not have nursery beds, failing to renew their certificates, and selectively awarding supply contracts and certificates.
Josinta Kabugho, the general manager for Bukonzo Organic Farmers Cooperative Union, says that the new machines are expected to bring down the cost of production by about 30 percent as it requires less labor to operate and gives out more output per hour compared to the old models they have been using.
Moses Katushabe, one of the affected farmers says the new pest attacks the fruits as they start to ripen with a capacity to destroy hundreds of acres within a very short period of time.
Grace Kazigate Fatumah, a member of The National Agriculture Advisory Services-NAADS secretariat she says the recent NAADS assessment findings on apple growing across the country indicate an observable lack of skills among farmers and extension workers on how the crop is planted, maintained and marketed.
Last week, the Kasese field coordinator Moses Alinda was picked up by police for statement recording after he was accused of asking money from nursery bed operators before inspecting their beds
The project funded by GOAL International with support from the Master Card Foundation will support 300,000 beneficiaries in 18 districts. The target groups include young women and men, refugees and youth with disabilities.
Local leaders say this is breeding conflict between the two groups that could spiral out of hand if no immediate intervention is made. Julius Masereka is one of the affected farmers in Nyakatonzi, saying the attack on their gardens is nearly forcing them to halt crop cultivation.
Robinson Kule another farmer from Kisinga says he is contemplating abandoning the business because of the endless losses he is incurring because of thieves.
