By Prossy Nandudu
Ugandans should expect low volumes of maize harvested in the first planting season also known as Season A, of this year.
This has been attributed to erratic weather patterns, especially the rains that were not reliable.
Agriculture state minister Fred Kyakulaga Bwino made the revelation at the Uganda Media Centre on September 4, 2024, while issuing an advisory to farmers ahead of the second planting season.
“The weather conditions for the first season of 2024, were largely unfavourable for agricultural production. The rains were unreliable. Distribution was uneven. Some rains stopped early in most parts of the country before most of the crops had reached maturity like the maize crop,” Kyakulaga said.
He added that due to the unreliable rainfall patterns, maize volumes will be lower than the previous season. For example, in Season B of 2023 (second planting season) about 5.2 million metric tonnes of maize were harvested, but the figure is expected to drop.
Kyakulaga explained that today’s advisory is to remind and encourage farmers to intensify agricultural activities in this second season so as to recover some losses incurred in the past seasons.
He added that the seasonal rainfall outlook for August 2024 released by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) on August 3, and the seasonal rainfall outlook for September to December 2024, shows that there will be enhanced rainfall in most parts of northern Uganda (Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja regions) and eastern Uganda (Mt Elgon, Bukedi, and Teso sub-regions).
They, however, added that most parts of Southwestern, Central and Western will have less or suppressed rainfall.
Regions that are still experiencing suppressed rainfall such as central and western Uganda, should now prepare their seed beds to be ready for the time when the rains will intensify. The current rains should also be used to open up and in preparation for planting.
Regions like the north that are experiencing enough rains should start sowing in the already prepared seed beds he added.
