Members of Parliament have asked the government to investigate the seeds which are on Uganda market following concerns that many of the seeds sold to farmers do not germinate.
The MPs who include the woman MP for Ibanda district Margaret Kiboijana and the MP for Busiro north Prof .Gilbert Bukenya said that farmers are being conned of their money through sale of none germinating seeds by a group individuals dealing in fake seeds on the market.
Kiboijana said that she was almost losing votes in Ibanda district after procuring seeds on market and when she distributed it to her voters, seeds failed to germinate and the people turned the blame on her.
Prof Bukenya said that government should stop entrusting the seed multiplication in hands of private sector because they are not giving farmers quality seeds.
He said some seed sellers buy seeds from farmers and sell them the same seeds claiming they are of better quality.
Prof. Bukenya, a highly respected farmer said that the seeds on market do not have germination rate on the packages, which would guide farmers on the kind of seeds they are purchasing.
Ultimate Media recently did a comprehensive story on the Uganda seed market, Ugandans contend with seeds of uncertainty. We also interviewed the Commissioner for Crop Protection, Bulegeya Komayombi about this and he attributed the problem to limited seed supply.
We also interviewed the Executive Secretary of the Uganda Seed Trade Association, Dr. Ruth Sebuliba who admitted that even some registered seed companies are providing fake seeds due to limited regulation. The interview is here below.
USTA admits fake seeds on Uganda market
Se more video interviews we did on this issue:
Long process of producing new seed varieties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D_sLLY-PeA
Dr. Silver Tumweganyire, a potato breeder at the Uganda National Crop Resource Research Institute explains that potato planting material may take up to 10 years to be developed-from a needs assessment, identifying the characteristics of the plant to improve, through breeding to producing a variety the farmer can plant.
Uganda Seed Traders want to produce quality but cannot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxF4sXAuFNg
A video Question and Answer interview with the Uganda Seed Trade Association Executive Secretary, Dr. Ruth Sebuliba on the prospects, practices and challenges of the Uganda seed industry.
Farmer dealing with seed options
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwqHbUJDHD0
Otto Charles, a lead farmer in northern Uganda talks about seeds got from fellow farmers and those from seed companies, outlining advantages and drawbacks of seeds from seed companies and fellow farmers.
Meeting seed demand by farmers key
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOONfMv9hf8
Komayombi Bulegeya, the Commissioner for Crop Protection in the Ministry of Agriculture on the seed industry and government’s role and plans.
Why some seed companies produce substandard seeds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieCr1goYmCc
Point blank: The head of the umbrella organization of seed companies in Uganda admits that seed companies are “forced” to produce substandard seeds due to failure by the government to regulate the seed industry where fake seeds are perverse.
Government concerned about inadequate seed production capacity Weinformers.net
Q& A with Komayombi Bulegeya, the Commissioner for Crop Protection in the Ministry of Agriculture