Senior Reporter
Farmers cultivating hot peppers in the Kigezi and Ankole regions are grappling with the challenge of containing fruit flies and false codling moth pests (FCM). These pests pose a significant threat to their crops, leading to reduced yields.
According to Donati Maronko, the Hot Pepper Lead Farmer in Kanungu District, FCM tends to attack hot peppers during flowering, while fruit flies can strike at any time, hampering the crop’s growth and overall productivity. Maronko highlighted that despite using recommended pesticides, they have found them ineffective. Furthermore, when farmers resort to using chemicals that effectively eliminate these pests but are not endorsed, the resulting fruits are disqualified for export after undergoing tests.
Other farmers like Phionah Ainembabazi from Ntungamo District and Moses Mugisha from Rukungiri District echoed similar sentiments. Despite their efforts in regular weeding and timely spraying, they have struggled to control the pests and have called for government intervention.
Patrick Zikanga, the Chief Executive Officer of Chemiphar Uganda Limited, and Ester Atwiine, the Agricultural Officer of Ntungamo District, expressed their commitment to escalate the farmers’ concerns to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAIIF) for necessary intervention.
