As President Museveni prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, residents of Bukomansimbi District have outlined key issues they want government to prioritize, including the rising influx of counterfeit agricultural inputs, poor road infrastructure, and the revival of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) seed distribution programme.
Many residents, most of whom depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, say fake seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals have become a major setback to production, resulting in significant losses for farmers.
They argue that despite heavy investment in agriculture, many farmers continue to record poor yields after unknowingly purchasing counterfeit inputs from unscrupulous dealers.
Residents also expressed concern over the poor state of roads linking farming communities to markets, saying transport challenges continue to hinder the movement of agricultural produce and increase production costs.
Several farmers called on government to rehabilitate key feeder roads in the district to improve market access and boost household incomes.
Others appealed for the revival and strengthening of the NAADS seed distribution programme, which they say previously boosted agricultural productivity and improved livelihoods when it was fully operational.
Bashir Kiberu, a resident of Kawoko in Butenga Sub-county, said the seedlings he received under NAADS significantly improved his family’s welfare.
“I received orange seedlings under the NAADS programme, and those oranges have really benefited me. They yielded well and enabled me to earn money that helped me pay school fees for my children,” he said.
Residents now hope President Museveni will use the State of the Nation Address to provide clear solutions to the challenges affecting farmers and rural communities, particularly those dependent on agriculture as their main source of income.
The State of the Nation Address is expected to highlight government’s achievements, challenges, and priorities for the coming year.