The Karamoja region, which has historically struggled with food scarcity due to harsh weather conditions, experienced a bountiful harvest this season of crops like sorghum, maize, and sunflower. However, the joy over this harvest is now tempered by growing worries.
Local leaders in the Karamoja sub-region are expressing concerns about the rampant sale of food grains to traders who have flooded villages to purchase produce, fearing it could exacerbate food insecurity during the upcoming dry season.
The Karamoja region, which has historically struggled with food scarcity due to harsh weather conditions, experienced a bountiful harvest this season of crops like sorghum, maize, and sunflower. However, the joy over this harvest is now tempered by growing worries.
Farmers have been celebrating their improved yields with festivities and have eagerly sold their grains to buyers from Teso, Acholi, and Lango sub-regions, with some produce even being exported to Rwanda and Kenya. Local leaders, however, are worried that this widespread sale could leave the communities vulnerable to hunger when the dry season sets in.
Paul Lokol, the LC5 Chairperson of Nabilatuk District, revealed that large quantities of sorghum have been sold at a rate of 950 shillings per kilogram. Despite efforts to educate the community on the dangers of early grain sales, Lokol noted that their warnings have largely gone unheeded. He emphasized the importance of responsible selling, advising people to save some of their harvest to withstand the lean months ahead.
“Our communities have been sensitized to understand that there will be no relief food this year,” Lokol stated. “Families must plan wisely and preserve food.” He explained that efforts to regulate grain sales, such as charging loading fees for transport vehicles, have been undermined by a circular from the Ministry of Trade that authorizes the business.
Despite these challenges, Lokol acknowledged the economic benefits traders bring by exporting sorghum, suggesting that the government should attract investors to add value to the grain for export.
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Joseph Lobot, the LC5 Chairperson of Amudat District, echoed these concerns, citing that traders from Sironko and Kitale, Kenya, are purchasing maize from local farmers at low prices. He stressed the need for farmers to store their grain properly and wait for better prices during the dry spell.
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Meanwhile, Paul Komol Lotee, the LC5 Chairperson of Kotido District, urged farmers to sell only to meet essential needs, rather than for luxury. His council has intensified efforts to educate the community about the importance of food preservation and the dangers of selling to middlemen, who later make significant profits by selling the produce at higher prices outside the region.
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Meri Jino, the LC5 Chairperson of Kaabong District, highlighted the dire consequences of food insecurity and stressed that people should reserve food for genuine family emergencies. He suggested that those who benefited from government iron sheets should consider investing in building permanent homes rather than wasting money on less productive ventures.
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From the farmers' perspective, Albert Lotyang of Lorengedwat Sub-county, Napak District, explained that the lack of storage facilities forces them to sell produce immediately after harvest. He pointed out that financial struggles also compel farmers to sell to meet household needs, making it difficult to restrict grain sales.
“Some farmers grow only sorghum,” Lotyang said. “They have no choice but to sell some of it to manage family expenses.” He urged the government to set up storage facilities at the parish or sub-county level to enable farmers to preserve their harvests for longer periods.
