Agro-Input Dealers Urged to Reject Counterfeit Products as Stakeholders Push for Agricultural Transformation in Lango Sub-Region

LCC TV NEWS

LIRA, UGANDA – The Production Officer of Lira City Council, Mr. Bruno Akejo, has issued a stern call to agro-input dealers in the Lango sub-region to desist from the sale of counterfeit agricultural products and instead prioritize the distribution of high-quality inputs to bolster farm yields and food security.

Mr. Akejo made these remarks during a pivotal stakeholders’ meeting convened by Brownlee and Family Agro Inputs in collaboration with Uganda Crop Care Limited. The high-level forum, held at Veranda Hotel in Ober, Lira City West Division, brought together a cross-section of agro-dealers, district agricultural officials, and development partners to deliberate on strategies for enhancing input quality and regulatory compliance.

In his address, Mr. Akejo, who oversees the portfolios of agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries within Lira City, identified the proliferation of spurious agro-inputs as a persistent and significant impediment to agricultural productivity in the region. He implored dealers to exercise heightened vigilance and ensure that only verified, efficacious products are made available to the farming community.

“Farmers are entitled to inputs that deliver tangible results. As dealers, your responsibility extends beyond mere commerce; you must supply the correct products and simultaneously educate farmers on their optimal application. This collaborative approach is essential for us to realize a substantive improvement in agricultural output across Lango,” asserted Mr. Akejo.

He further challenged the dealers to serve as conduits of agronomic knowledge, emphasizing that the dissemination of best farming practices is critical to ensuring that agriculture in the sub-region is conducted with precision and long-term sustainability.

Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Fred Alele, Director of the United Nations Development Account (UNDA) for the Lango sub-region, underscored that the growth and resilience of the agro-input sector are contingent upon robust teamwork, meticulous record-keeping, and sustained farmer sensitization. Mr. Alele cautioned that the prevalence of fraudulent products undermines farmer confidence and jeopardizes the entire agricultural value chain.

“For the agro-input industry and agriculture at large to scale new heights, we must foster a culture of collaboration, maintain accurate data, and invest in continuous training for all stakeholders. We must collectively eradicate fake products from our markets and arm farmers with the correct information to make informed decisions,” stated Mr. Alele.

The dialogue served as a platform for participants to dissect pressing issues, including dealer regulation, quality assurance mechanisms, and the critical need for enhanced extension services. The engagement is part of a broader, ongoing initiative spearheaded by Lira City and its development allies to promote the use of genuine agricultural inputs and significantly elevate productivity levels among farmers in Northern Uganda.

As the agricultural sector faces mounting pressure from climate variability and market demands, stakeholders concurred that coordinated action and shared responsibility are paramount to transforming the region's agricultural landscape from subsistence to commercial viability.