Cotton farmers in Kasese District are expressing frustration over fluctuating prices that they say are causing heavy losses despite significant investment in production.
Once considered one of the district’s leading cash crops, cotton has for decades supported household incomes, particularly in the lowland areas.
However, growers now argue that the enterprise is becoming increasingly unsustainable due to unpredictable farm-gate prices.
They say the cost of land preparation, seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and labor has steadily increased, yet the prices offered at buying centres remain unstable and often low at the time of selling.
Brian Bwambale, a cotton farmer in Kasese, says many growers are struggling to break even.
“We invest a lot of money in land preparation, spraying and paying workers, but when it comes to selling our cotton, the prices are too low. Sometimes you cannot even recover what you have spent,” Bwambale said.
He adds that declining soil fertility and persistent pest attacks have worsened the situation, leading to reduced yields.
“The soil is no longer as productive as before, and pests are affecting our gardens. We need support in terms of fertilizers and effective pesticides to improve production,” he added.
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) advised farmers to focus on improving productivity and quality.
Damalie Lubwama, Commissioner of Cotton Production at MAAIF, noted that government has limited control over global cotton prices but emphasized that higher yields can translate into better earnings per acre.
At the district level, the Kasese District Agricultural Office has pledged to intensify extension services to equip farmers with modern agronomic practices aimed at restoring soil fertility and boosting output.
Local leaders believe that with coordinated support and improved farming methods, cotton can regain its position as a profitable cash crop in Kasese. For now, however, farmers continue to grapple with price volatility, hoping for policy interventions to cushion them against unpredictable market forces.