Prime
Ginger farmers decry low prices
Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde observes how a ginger processing machine works, which she donated to farmers in her constituency. PHOTO BY SADAT MBOGO
Farmers in Mpigi District have decried poor pricing challenges with the processing and export of ginger that have greatly affected their business.
Vincent Kayiwa, a ginger farmer from Teketwe village in Buwama Sub-county, told Seeds of Gold that he may continue to incur losses this year because of high costs, which include interest rates charged on bank loans he acquired to supplement his working capital. “I used to purchase seeds at Shs150,000-Shs250,000 per bag and earn more than Shs25m per season. But these days, I get between Shs3m- Shs5m per season,” he said.
Last season, he spent Shs15m but at harvest, he received only Shs9m. “If the current price does not change, we shall stop cultivating gingers and resort to other crops like maize.”
In a monthly evaluation meeting of Buwama Ginger Farmers Association (Bugifa) to discuss price risk management, farmers asked the ministry of Agriculture to intervene to boost the market and also improve the required standards through value addition and trainings.
The association members also pointed out that the poor pricing in the international market is affecting local farmers and other stakeholders in the business.
John Nsubuga, the chairperson Bugifa, said: “We have tried to maintain the quality of our ginger but pricing in the export market and lack of government intervention has been a big setback.”
He noted also that many youth are getting involved in ginger farming thereby ensuring future growth through increased production.
Seeds of Gold has learnt that ginger farmers in Mpigi District produce and sell to middlemen without adding value and as a result, they find it difficult to influence prices.
John Kalyesubula, an extension worker in Kituntu Sub -county, Mpigi District, said mature ginger gets good prices in the market, and therefore blames the farmers for harvesting immature ones. He also observed that one of the factors contributing to low prices of ginger is the increase in the number of suppliers yet the demand remains stagnant. “For instance, even if suppliers increase from five to 10, buyers will not change thus making the crop to float in the market,” he said.
