By Prossy Nandudu
Following the outcry of scarcity of maize seed in the country, Uganda Prisons Services has listed places where farmers can access quality maize seed for planting.
The aim is to ensure that farmers do not miss out on the second planting seasons.
The outlets where farmers can access seed include UMA show grounds in Kampala and Luzira Prisons in Kampala.
Other places include: Soroti Prisons, Lira Prisons, Gulu Main Prison, Soroti main Prisons, Masindi Main Prison and Jinja Show Grounds among others.
A kilo of maize in these outlets is going for sh6,000 compared to the market price which is at between sh8000 to sh15,000 in the last two weeks.
Uganda Prisons Services Spokesperson, Frank Baine, said they decided to sell the seeds to address the seed shortage in the country of especially maize that is being experienced in the country today.
Baine explained that currently the Prisons have about 5,000 metric tons of maize seed from their various farms across the country.
Maize seed demand in the country is estimated at 8,000 metric tons per season.
He added that the 5000 metric tons of seeds now in store was harvested from about 1400 acres of land, adding that plans are under way to produce seed for crops like beans and soya beans.
