Dr. Rashid Mubiru, the Buliisa District Veterinary Officer, reported that the symptoms were observed last week by farmers who noticed signs such as fever, depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, shivering, sores and blisters on the animals' feet, and hypersalivation, among others.
The most affected farmers are from the areas of Bujaja, Lwamata in Mpasaana Sub County, Kijungu ward, Mpongo ward, Lwamate ward, and Mpasaana central in Mpasaana town council.
The seeds that include Cowpeas, Green gram, and Tapary beans are being kept in the district stores pending distribution to the farmers after the germination tests.
Many farmers are crying foul after their crops were destroyed by cows, especially during the night hours. According to the farmers, the herdsmen have started grazing their animals at night in their gardens.
The 110 dealers working under the Agriculture Cluster Development Project – ACDP were contracted to supply inputs that include maize, beans, cassava, rice and coffee to over 10 districts across the country.
According to Bishop Nsubuga, the diocese has embraced the Operation Wealth Creation Programme and mentored several Christians to engage in agriculture production to improve livelihoods, but this may be affected by counterfeit agro-inputs.
The goats started dying three weeks ago leaving many goat farmers stranded. Most of the goat farmers are forced to bury carcasses as people fear to eat their meat.
The State Minister for Agriculture Henry Aggrey Bagiire says some farmers were found to have replanted their crops soon after the floods that hit several areas in the region.
The RDC gave the authorization after district security and political authorities suspended the ongoing operation of evicting farmers from wetlands in the district.
Dr. Evelyn Lutalo, the chairperson Association of Uganda Women Professionals in Agriculture and Environment-AUWPAE says that despite the government efforts to enact and put in place policies that can help to prevent the use of HHPs, this is still insufficient.
James Kanyije, the Chief Executive Officer KK Fresh Produce Exporters Ltd, says they are worried that farmers could abandon agriculture due to the glitch in the market.
The farmers usually harvest the highly prized crop between June and July. A Kilogram of fresh vanilla fibre costs more than Shillings 200,000 on the market. Middlemen buy a kilogram at around 160,000 Shillings while established companies can buy it at as much as 200,000 Shillings per kilogram.
