MUKONO – Over 32 absolute and low viability tree seed species worth UGX 24 million have been destroyed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) at the National tree seed centre in Namanve, Mukono.
The seed species include Senegal acacia, Moringa, Vitex domiana and many more picked from various parts of the country.
According to Mr. Patrick Kakeeto, the in-charge of the quality of seeds at the National Tree Seeds Centre said that these seeds go through all kinds of testing in the laboratory at the tree centre in Namanve.
Mr. Kakeeto said: “These seeds go through testing in the laboratory before they are sold.”
“Those that don’t meet the standards are put aside for destruction which is done every financial year.” He added
Mr. Kakeeto said: “It was agreed on by the Board of Directors to always destroy the seeds that are of low quality such that they don’t fall into the hands of the wrong people for sale.”
“These poor quality seeds can not germinate and are dangerous to the soil.” He said.
The Communications and Public Relations Manager NFA, Ms. Aisha Alibhai said that the reason for the destruction of these low-quality seeds is to avoid ending up in the market that may tarnish the credibility of NFA.
Ms. Alibhai said: “These low-quality seeds are being burnt because they end up being on the market and this affects the credibility of the National Forestry Authority.”
Ms. Alibhai also warned people against the fraudsters who claim to be NFA agents she alerted people that these counterfeiters are selling fake tree seeds to people.
She said: “We don’t have any NFA agents in the country.”
She then urged the people to report anybody in claiming to be an NFA agent to police.
