AMOS K
Farmers in Rubaare Sub-county, known for both crop cultivation and livestock farming, are expressing concerns over the prolonged dry spell that has severely affected their agricultural activities.
John Twinomujuni, a resident of Omungyenyi Parish, stated that the extreme sunshine has made it difficult to sustain their animals, as pasture has become scarce. While Rubaare has natural water sources, livestock now depend heavily on water due to the lack of grass.
Twinomujuni further noted that farmers who planted seeds during the February rains have suffered losses, as many seedlings either failed to germinate or dried up shortly after sprouting. He dismissed claims that deforestation is responsible for the harsh weather conditions, arguing that Rubaare still has swamps and ongoing tree-planting efforts.
Coleb Tindimwebwa, the LC3 Chairperson of Rubaare Sub-county, confirmed that livestock farmers are struggling to find enough pasture for their animals.
Speaking on behalf of crop farmers, Tindimwebwa emphasized that irrigation could be a viable solution but remains unaffordable for most small-scale farmers in the area. He added that many farmers rely solely on rainfall, which has been unreliable.
Wilson Kakuru, the Agricultural Officer for Rubaare Sub-county, urged farmers not to lose hope despite the harsh weather conditions. He advised them to adopt alternative farming techniques such as mulching to retain soil moisture. He also cautioned against pruning and thinning crops during this period, as this could lead to further moisture loss.
For livestock farmers, Kakuru recommended preserving dry pastures for future use and implementing a paddock grazing system to ensure sustainable pasture management during the drought.
