Indigenous Seeds Under Threat: Serere Farmers Fight Against Nature, Market Barriers

By Delux Emmy Alomu

 

SERERE

Farmers in Serere district are facing challenges in revitalizing the growth of indigenous seeds, particularly sorghum, known locally as ‘Edeidei,’ due to erratic rainfall, pest and disease issues, and a lack of market access for indigenous foods.

 

Edeidei is a remarkable local variety that thrives in drought conditions, cultivated by farmers in Teso, where it can grow as tall as eight feet and matures in roughly 120 days. This crop is commonly used for brewing, porridge, and local bread, and it has a notable resilience against pests during storage.

 

Indigenous seeds play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring food security. These seeds are well-suited to local conditions and demonstrate remarkable resilience. In contrast, commercially improved seeds are created for high yields and quick growth. However, they often come with higher price tags, which can lead to long-term debt for farmers, environmental concerns, and the erosion of cultural practices.

 

Robert Epenu, a sorghum farmer from Abuket parish, recounted his experience with Edeidei, explaining that he started with two kilograms in the first season and harvested half a bag. This time around, he has planted four kilograms and is hopeful for a yield of 3-4 bags, assuming the rains cooperate.

 

Nonetheless, he mentioned that pests and diseases remain a concern during extended dry spells, despite the support he has received regarding plant spacing and local manure practices from the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda.

Agricultural experts in Serere have identified threats to Edeidei, including sorghum smut and leaf roller, which particularly impact the crops at critical growth stages—booting and flowering—especially during periods of excessive drought.

 

Farmers are also grappling with price volatility, with the cost of Edeidei seeds fluctuating between sh500 and sh1,500 depending on quality.

 

John Geoffrey Ogwang, Chairperson of the Okunguro farmer field school, which includes around 35 sorghum growers, expressed appreciation for Edeidei’s durability and nutritional benefits, yet acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by long dry spell and pests.

 

Caroline Apolot, a facilitator for farmer field schools in Okunguro village, Kyere Sub-County, noted that after introducing Edeidei in 2024, farmers initially faced difficulties with their harvests due to limited knowledge and extension support. However, after receiving guidance from ESAFF, they successfully harvested 19 kilograms from the participatory breeding plots in their second year.

 

According to the latest housing and population census, there is just one extension officer for every 3,500 farmers in Teso.

 

With newfound skills in producing a locally made biopesticide from composted manure, plant materials, and other natural ingredients—rather than relying on costly pesticides that can pose health risks—farmers managed to plant four kilograms of Edeidei per acre this year, yielding 642 kilograms (equivalent to three and a half bags of sorghum) and are eager for additional guidance from ESAFF.

 

“We can create biopesticides with locally sourced materials like composted manure, green leaves, garlic, onions, red pepper, ash, chicken droppings, cow dung, goat droppings, and virgin soil. This approach not only cuts costs but also avoids the health risks associated with expensive pesticides,” she shared.

 

Apolot shared that they currently manage three gardens, having planted 12 kilograms of Edeidei seeds. They anticipate a harvest of 1,500 kilograms, which will greatly improve their quality of life.

 

Farmers in the district are calling on the government for support in managing pests and diseases affecting local seeds. They also seek affordable irrigation solutions, better market access, more tarpaulins for postharvest needs, and encouragement of sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting and forest conservation.

 

Ketty Akello, chairperson of ESAFF Serere, noted that over 100 farmers in Kyere sub-county are growing Edeidei as a group. She advocates for early planting to mitigate challenges posed by dry spells, pests, and diseases as the crop continues to spread to new areas.

 

Aloysius Musana, the Agriculture Officer for Kyere Sub County, stated that while indigenous seeds are nutritious, most lack resistance to drought, pests, and diseases, unlike improved seed varieties that offer these advantages along with higher yields.

 

Musana encouraged farmers to form groups to boost the promotion of indigenous seeds, allowing them to take advantage of various government and development initiatives, such as micro-scale irrigation and climate-smart agriculture programs.

 

Farmers contribute 20% towards these initiatives and can access more information from extension workers or parish chiefs to enhance their agricultural productivity.

 

He highlighted the advantages of bulk selling, which can improve market opportunities for farmers dealing in indigenous seeds.

 

Abraham Okwalinga, the LC3 Chairperson of Kyere Sub County, urged farmers to revert to indigenous seeds, which are more resilient to drought, pests, and diseases compared to improved varieties.

 

He called upon Members of Parliament to advocate for government assistance in providing mini-scale irrigation for local farmers.

 

Farmers in Serere are gaining momentum to revive indigenous seeds through the Rooted in Diversity (RiD): Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods project, a five-year initiative running from January 2024 to December 2028.

 

This project, which also spans Malawi and Niger, is focused on strengthening agricultural practices in the Amuru and Serere districts. In each region, ten farmer field schools have been established to support local farmers in their efforts.

 

Josephine Hilda Nansubuga, the business development officer with the Rooted in Diversity project at ESAFF Uganda, explained that the initiative was launched in response to the troubling decline of indigenous seeds.

 

These seeds are recognized for their resilience against drought, diseases, and pests, worsened by the influx of improved varieties, climate change, and unfavorable government policies.

 

Nansubuga mentioned that ESAFF Uganda runs an agroecology business hub platform to tackle challenges faced by small-scale farmers, including limited access to capital, market opportunities, and the knowledge needed to run successful enterprises.

 

She emphasized that the project is focused on promoting the diversity of indigenous seeds, building local value chains and markets, connecting farmers with research institutions, and fostering a supportive policy environment to ensure farmers reap the full benefits of their labor.

 

The project embraces a farmer field school approach, where demonstration gardens are established. This setup allows participants to learn techniques and implement them in their own gardens.

 

It’s important to note that cultivating indigenous seeds for personal use offers significant benefits, particularly their medicinal properties. These seeds enable farmers to combat diseases more effectively than improved varieties.

 

In addition, indigenous crops are not only nutritionally richer but can also be grown sustainably year after year, unlike improved varieties that often require more resources.

 

In Uganda, the project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), is spearheaded by a consortium that includes Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda, ESAFF Uganda, Oxfam Novib, and CIRAD.