GULU–The cultural chief of Lamogi clan in Amuru district has petitioned government to regulate prices of agricultural products to save farmers from exploitation.
Rwot Charles Otinga Otto Yai was speaking during the training of members Village Saving and Loan Association groups organised by Gulu Women Economics Development and Globalization-GWED-G and Bank of Africa at Bomah Hotel in Gulu town recently.
Rwot Otinga said last year, farmers in Amuru were encouraged to grow crops like soya and sorghums on a large scale with promise of ready market which never came prompting them to sell their produce at giveaway prices.
“Farmers grow crops with hope of transforming their lives and once they fail to realize this, they become discouraged. The government must come out to regulate prices such that farmers are protected,” Rwot Otinga said.
He said some farmers in Amuru district were selling a kilogramme of soya at Shs500 per kilogramme yet they had expected to reap more than that.
Moses Okwonga, a farmer in Amuru district, said middlemen pay them a paltry Shs500 yet the known price is at Shs3,500 per kilogramme.
Prossy Abalo, Programme Manager for GWED-G, said their organization is ready to support and guide the local people on how to petition government to demand better service delivery.
Abalo added that people involved in farming can task their leaders in the local government to ensure service delivery in terms of road network and price regulation to boost agricultural investment.
During the training, GWED-G signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bank of Africa, which will enable 450 farmers in Nwoya, Omoro, Amuru and Gulu districts to acquire bank loans ranging from cash to farm machinery from Bank of Africa and its partners.
The executive director Bank of Africa, Bernard Robinson Magulu, said they are contented to give loans through the network of GWED-G because they want the loans to create positive impact in to the lives of the people.
He added together with GWED-G, they will link farmers to credible partners such that they can get machinery, seedlings, and markets for their products to avoid exploitation of farmers.
