By KT Reporter
A section of oil palm farmers in Namayingo district has raised an outcry over a rat invasion, which they say threatens the stable growth of their crops to full maturation. Through the Namayingo Oil Palm Growers Association, the farmers are calling on agricultural extension workers to take immediate action to control the damage to their gardens.
The affected crops were planted in August last year, but due to mole rat attacks, some are registering stunted growth or dying completely. Farmers say that replacing the destroyed crops with new seedlings is costly. Pelusi Nabwire, who planted her oil palm garden with her husband about a year ago, said the mole rats continuously cut the crops from the roots.
“This frustrates the crop from fully tapping into the nutrients in the soil, causing it to weaken and gradually die,” she said. Nabwire says five crops valued at 175,000 Shillings have been destroyed so far, and she fears further damage.
Moses Sande, another farmer, explained that they grow oil palm through government loans disbursed via Equity Bank, but the mole rats threaten their expected profits and could prolong loan repayment schedules. He says that in their subcounty of Buswale, 12 farmers have been affected, and despite physically hunting hundreds of mole rats, the infestation persists. Sande now calls on the government to provide pesticides to curb the problem.
Siraje Waiswa, chairperson of oil palm farmers in Namayingo, said the subcounties of Buswale, Buyinjja, and Buhemba have been largely affected. So far, 263 oil palm crops have been destroyed, with each seedling costing 20,000 Shillings and transportation adding 15,000 Shillings—bringing the total cost per seedling to 35,000 Shillings. Waiswa estimates farmers have collectively lost 9,205,000 Shillings.
According to their loan agreements, suppliers replace destroyed crops at a 3% discount if the damage results from natural factors. However, mole rat damage is considered under farmers’ negligence, leaving farmers to bear the full replacement cost. Waiswa says extension workers encourage replacement, but farmers are hesitant due to the persistent threat from mole rats. He urges government agencies to research ways to disrupt the reproductive cycles of mole rats to provide relief to farmers.
Namayingo district LC V chairperson, Ronald Sanya, confirmed that the farmers’ plight has been registered and threatens the expected yields. Sanya added that the district is working closely with a dedicated team from the Ministry of Agriculture to eradicate the pests from the gardens.
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