POOR AGRONOMIC PRACTICES RUINING IRISH POTATO GROWING IN KIGEZI

Poor Agronomic practices and farming methods have been cited as the major cause of reduction in both Irish and Sweet potato production in Kigezi region.

Beda Mwebesa the Kabale district Production and Marketing Officer revealed this to our reporter today during an interview that was conducted at Kabale district  that there has been reduction in Irish and sweet potato production from 7tonnes per hectare to 4metric tonnes per hectare in the last two years.

Bedder blamed this reduction in Sweet and Irish potato reduction in Kigezi sub region to un fertile soils that have been cause by poor farming methods  and also the increased accumlating of population in the region which has led to high demand of land for settlement over farming.

Ronald Oshabohebwa, a farmer who deals with I rish potatoes says that lack of advanced knowledge mainly by the farmers on new farming methods, and seeds to be planted has greatly affected them as farmers.

He however requested the Government of Uganda to completely decentralize the Agriculture services to the village level and also sensitize the farmers on good agronomic practices in order to revive the fertility of their soils.