Mr. Cathbert Natukunda, an Agriculture Field Extension Officer, working with Caritas Kabale Diocese narrates why Farmers in Kigezi region especially those with less than an acre of land should aim at growing 3-month crops over sorghum.
In Kigezi, especially Kabale, most small holder farmers cultivate less than an acre. Land is scarce, hilly, and must support a whole household. With rising costs of food, school fees, and health, waiting 6-7 months for a harvest is no longer practical for many families.
Sorghum has long been a traditional crop in Kigezi. For many generations, households have grown it for home consumption in porridge making and local brew. It is drought tolerant, stores well, and grows on poor soils. But farmers do not sell sorghum because it is surplus. They sell because of family needs to raise money for school fees, medical bills, or other urgent expenses. Prices are mainly inflated, with a kilo selling at 1,000 UGX during peak seasons.
The real problem is time. Sorghum takes 6-7 months to mature. When a large portion of small land is under sorghum, there is limited food supply for half the year. For a family with less than an acre, that creates a long hunger and income gap.
Farming in Uganda among farmers with less than an acre of land should focus on growing crops that mature and reach harvest quickly. This helps households to easily access food for home consumption and also sell for household needs. In Kabale’s cool climate, crops like Irish potatoes, cabbages, and beans are ideal because they are ready in 90-100 days and fit well on small plots.
Instead of investing much of the little land in sorghum for both home consumption and commercial purposes, farmers should be strategic. Reserve only a small piece for sorghum, just enough for home consumption. This ensures the family still has porridge without tying up the whole farm for 6-7 months.
Utilize the other pieces of land for fast crops like beans, Irish potatoes, cabbages, and other vegetables that mature quickly. This way, a farmer gets food from sorghum later in the season, but also gets food and income from fast crops within 3 months.
Sorghum will remain important in Kigezi for culture and food storage. But for farmers with less than an acre, it should not take up all the land for 6-7 months. The better strategy is to reserve a small piece for sorghum for home consumption only, and utilize the rest of the land for 3-month crops like beans, Irish potatoes, and cabbages. This ensures families in Kigezi have food now, income now, and can still have porridge from sorghum growing.
This Post Has 14 Comments
You are right for that great comment. Its true that even the place’s climatic conditions are not good. So better to grasp your idea.
Good idea
This is interesting but we have people tied up in culture “sorghum is for bushera “and some people don’t feel like leaving bushera
It is true sorghum takes more than 7 months and above depending on variety. Its better we depend only for those crops that takes three to four months like cabbages, beans, eggplants , potatoes. And if we use integrated pest management eg use of organic pesticides we can improve on soil fertility to get high yields in our crops for school fees, home consumption etc
This is the fact, in fact sorghum consumes high labour and more expenses compared to the yields
Thanks for transforming and educating the country. Keep it up
Long-duration (7-8 month) crops tie up land and resources. If weather, pests, or light issues strike mid-season, the farmer risks losing the entire yield. Fast-maturing crops allow for quick pivots.
This is so amazing!
I have really seconded it 99% and have really liked it.
Deus te benedicat, Domine Cathbert.
Long Live Caritas KABALE.
Thanks Mr. Cathbert for this thought. Our small holder farmers need sensitization and concensetisation about high value crops and short-cycle crops for food production and income after sale but also climate change resilience like beans, Irish potatoes, maize, Cassava among others. Access to quality seed is very important.
It’s been long overdue to promote this campaign. Our people must focus on income generating crops rather than crops that don’t help them in a short time
This is a very good observation and thx Mr Cathbert for coming up and speak to our people,
“ oine amatu ahurire “
Thank you, Cathbert, for this very important advice to our farmers. I believe this challenge is not only affecting Kigezi but farmers across the country.
In Karamoja, sorghum is our staple and traditional crop. However, many farming families struggle to sustain themselves during the planting season because sorghum takes a long time to mature. The idea of planting short-maturing crops alongside sorghum is an excellent one, as it helps provide food and income while families wait for the main crop to be harvested.
This is good but culture is a big problem, This will erase sorghum meaning no bushera, and some people can’t stand
Thanks for helping our marginalized communities and our local people to come on board.