Agricultural experts are warning of looming food insecurity and reduced household incomes across the Acholi Sub-region in the coming months following a prolonged dry spell that has left crops withering in gardens. Smallholder farmers across the region are already counting losses as maize, groundnuts, soybeans and beans key sources of food and household income after nearly a month of no rainfall in some areas.
Godfrey Jomo Oyet, the Nwoya District Production Officer, said the prolonged lack of rain has negatively affected crop growth in the first planting season, with the extent of damage varying depending on the stage of development and location. “The prolonged dry spell has affected us negatively,” Oyet said. “There are areas that have not received rain for almost one month, while others have gone for about two and a half weeks without rain.”
According to Oyet, maize, groundnuts and soybeans are the most affected crops in Nwoya and neighbouring districts where most farmers still depend on rain-fed agriculture. He explained that mature maize crops escaped major damage, but those that are flowering and filling grain are experiencing severe moisture stress. Groundnuts currently at the flowering stage have also been badly affected, while soybean crops that are yet to mature are beginning to dry up due to inadequate moisture.
“The situation is not good because maize, our major staple food, is being affected. Reduced yields will inevitably impact household food security,” Oyet warned. However, he noted that cassava and sunflower crops remain relatively resilient because of the little moisture retained in the soil. He added that a return of rainfall in the coming weeks could still salvage young maize crops that are at knee or waist height.
The situation is no different in neighbouring Amuru District, where District Production Officer Simon Peter Komakech described the impact of the prolonged dry spell as “terrible”. “Maize has been seriously affected, especially crops planted late. Those who planted earlier are likely to realize some returns, although sunshine has delayed harvesting,” Komakech said.
Komakech warned that poor first-season harvests will affect both household food security and incomes since many families depend on maize for consumption and cash. “In terms of food security, households are going to be affected because maize is the major food crop. Farmers who planted larger acreages were also expecting income from sales, and that has been reduced,” he said.
Komakech added that the dry spell has disrupted preparations for the second planting season because hardened soils have made ploughing difficult. Rice production, which is usually planted between May and July, is also expected to decline due to inadequate moisture.
Jackeline Abalo Oryem, a smallholder farmer in Olili Village, Jala Parish, Lalogi Sub-county in Omoro District, said the dry spell has devastated crops on her five-acre farm.
Abalo planted soybeans on three acres, finger millet on one acre and groundnuts on another acre, but all have been affected by the lack of rain, with some crops rapidly withering. She said she attempted to harvest soybeans from one acre a week ago, but the produce could not even fill a sack because the grains were undersized.
“I have made huge losses this season compared to my investment, but I am hopeful that the groundnuts will recover once the rains return,” she said. Agricultural experts say that although the government has rolled out micro-scale irrigation schemes under a cost-sharing arrangement to support smallholder farmers, uptake in the Acholi Sub-region remains low.
The June-August seasonal outlook released by the Ministry of Water and Environment in May projected intermittent showers in the Central-Northern region, comprising Amuru, Omoro, Lamwo, Oyam, Gulu and Kiryandongo districts, up to mid-June. The ministry also warned that prolonged dry spells would likely lead to reduced crop yields and increased prices for seasonal crops such as soybeans-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
