A soya bean garden for Gum Makome Farmers and VSLA group in Lamwo district.
By Arnest Tumwesige
Lamwo: Access to quality seeds remains a significant challenge for farmers, particularly those unable to distinguish between genuine and fake inputs.
With weak enforcement by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), counterfeit seeds often supplied by both multinational and national companies frequently enter the market unchecked.
This has led to poor yields, financial losses, and wasted time, ultimately hurting household incomes.
In response, farmer groups across the Acholi sub-region in Northern Uganda, supported by Capable International (an NGO working with rural farmers), have turned to local seed multiplication. By planting foundation seeds, they now produce their own quality seeds, which they share or sell among themselves.
For instance, members of the Gum Makome Farmers and Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) in Okora East village, Pangira Parish, Lukung Sub-county, Lamwo District, planted one acre of soybeans in the second season of 2024 under the guidance of an agronomist.
From just 20 kilograms of seeds, they harvested 622 kilograms of high-quality soybeans enough to plant 30 additional acres.
Patrick Kinyera, the group’s chairperson, told GNNA that by producing their own seeds, they reduce the risk of purchasing substandard inputs, lower their expenses, and improve profitability.
In addition to ensuring seed quality, the group earned UGX 2.7 million by selling the seeds at UGX 4,500 per kilogram.
Problem at a Glance
Concy Amony, a farmer with the Kok Can Ki Tic Farmers and VSLA group, had planned to grow two acres of sunflower and hoped to earn UGX 4 million. Based on peer advice, she purchased two packets of the Hysun seed variety at UGX 126,000.
However, most of the seeds failed to germinate despite following proper agronomic practices.
“Because of the low germination rate, I lost morale and decided not to plant the second acre,” said Amony, 33, from Lakwaya Sub-county in Omoro District.
She was one of ten farmers who collectively ordered the seeds from Gulu City only to suffer losses.
Similarly, Anthony Agwara, 40, planted two kilograms of the same seeds and harvested only four bags instead of the 20 he had expected.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t report the issue to the authorities, so there was no way to get help,” Agwara said.
In 2024, Capable International supported eight groups each with more than 30 members to launch local seed businesses in the districts of Lamwo, Omoro, and Nwoya (one group in Nwoya, two in Lamwo, and five in Omoro).
For the current planting season, only six groups are active due to seasonal constraints, with 10 others preparing for the second season, according to Dr. Wilson Okello, the program manager.
In 2016, UNBS introduced an E-tag verification system to help farmers easily identify fake seeds. The regulatory institution observed that there was high proliferation of substandard agro-inputs like seeds, fertilizers which were costing the country USD’s 1.5 billion in revenue losses.
The E-tag is now a requirement for all seed companies to be put on the package. A farmer is expected to use a mobile phone to feed in the code embedded on the tag to establish the source right from the first stage of value chain.
Whereas UNBS does regular inspections, the counterfeiters engage in serious production as soon as the officers are done causing famers like Agnes Akello to into their trap. Akello a resident of Lakwaya sub-county in Omoro district would have used the UNBS verification system but unfortunately she is naïve of such processes coupled with lack of mobile phone.
Addressing the Legal Gap
In June 2024, the Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN), chaired by Fred Mwewa, began nationwide consultations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Bill, 2023, introduced in Parliament by Hon. Asuman Basalirwa.
If passed into law, it will enforce stricter penalties, including a 10-year sentence for selling counterfeit products an upgrade from the current Trademark Act, which prescribes just two to five years.
The law targets fake agro-inputs, unbranded goods, harmful cosmetics, and counterfeit medicine. Agencies like UNBS, the Dairy Development Agency (DDA), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and National Drug Authority (NDA) will be responsible for enforcement.
Limited Knowledge and Extension Services
A 2024 study published in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, titled “The Role of Agro-Input Dealer Certification in Promoting Sustainable Pest Control: Insights from Uganda”, notes that only 22% of farmers in Uganda are reached by public agricultural extension services.
This knowledge gap pushes farmers to rely on agro-input dealers some of whom are behind the spread of counterfeit products.
Joel Kakaire, Country Manager at the African Fertilizers and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), stressed the need for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to enforce minimum academic qualifications for agro-input dealers.
In 2024, the Ministry, together with supply chain stakeholders, noted that many dealers only had secondary education and basic certification in chemical handling.
What Fuels Counterfeit Inputs?
Reagan Onekalit, an agronomist with Capable International, explained that when reputable breeder institutions introduce new high-quick-yielding varieties a strategy to counter long dry spells, counterfeiters often mimic packaging and sell fake seeds due to surging demand.
To fight this, Onekalit said farmer groups are now being trained to multiply their own seeds. The process is supervised by sub-county extension officers from land preparation through harvest and post-harvest handling. Afterward, a report is submitted to the MAAIF for certification.
“Ideally, seed companies should operate their own farms for quality control. However, due to high demand, some rely on out-growers who are difficult to monitor leading to compromised quality,” he explained.
Onekalit emphasized the need for frequent inspection of the farms by the district and sub-county line officers levels to ensure standards are upheld.
Geoffrey Obalim, an agricultural extension officer in Lukung Sub-county, also noted that quality seeds are especially scarce after the introduction of a new variety.
“For example, when DK 777 maize was introduced in the first season of last year, yields were good. But soon after, we received complaints about fake seeds. Price is often the only clue for farmers but many always opt for the cheaper option,” Obalim said.
Government Support for the Initiative
George Kidega, Gulu City Commercial Officer, noted that eliminating fake inputs is difficult unless farmers get organized into cooperatives, which offer economies of scale and stronger bargaining power.
In Lukung Sub-county, the Lacwec Yabo Farmers and VSLA group is already benefiting from this model. Obalim confirmed that MAAIF will support the group with a tractor to boost production of quality seeds.
UNADA Struggles to Regulate Dealers
Sarah Fiona Kisakye, Acting Executive Director of the Uganda National Agro-Input Dealers Association (UNADA), said members are required to supply products through a structured national and regional network for traceability.
However, operations have struggled to recover since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When farmers buy poor-performing products, input dealers should step in with advice,” Kisakye said. She also highlighted the advantages of farmers working in groups rather than individually.
UNADA currently has around 3,000 members, who are expected to monitor one another and ensure quality control. Kisakye added that the association is working with MAAIF to root out bad actors in the sector.
NB: This story was published with support from Northern Uganda Media Club and the 11th hour project under the food and agriculture reporting grant
