Senior Reporter
The dropping prices of vanilla have left farmers in Ibanda District frustrated, with many afraid that they might not recover investment costs during the ongoing harvesting season.
In 2018/2019 before COVID 19 a kilogram of Vanilla in Ibanda was at 550,000=, before falling to 210,000=in 2021 but unfortunately in 2022 a kilogram of Vanilla in Ibanda fell from about 210,000 shillings to 50,000 shillings.
According to Farmers as of now, Vanilla price stands between 4000 and 3000= from about Sh50, 000 10 months ago, and the prices are expected to drop further.
Vanilla Farmers from the Kyeikucu cell in Kagongo Division in Ibanda Municipality said this was the worst in the history of vanilla growing, forcing many farmers to cut down the plants and abandon the business since most farmers in the area invested loan money.
The farmers are now accusing Agriculture extension workers of not visiting farmers to identify their challenges.
Fabius Mwesigye says they have resolved not to participate in the forthcoming elections until the Vanilla price challenge is solved by the Government.
ButegyekiSabbita vanilla farmer in Ibanda District, says that they are worried that the fall in prices could make them fail to recover the money that he put in the business and as a result suffer losses.
