By Malik Fahad
Masaka-Uganda
Importers and suppliers of agricultural inputs in Masaka City are urging the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite the process of implementing a regulation that would require all agro-dealers to possess a certain level of academic qualification, preferably a certificate in agriculture.
Their objective is to address the significant knowledge gap among agro-dealers in the industry.
Gilbert Kato, a Senior Agronomist responsible for sales and marketing at Export Trading Group (ETG), a leading fertiliser supplier, highlights the challenge faced by dealers who often lack fundamental knowledge about the inputs they sell.
This knowledge gap poses a significant obstacle as the proper application of inputs, such as fertilisers, directly impacts a farmer’s productivity. Inadequate or incorrect information from dealers can greatly affect farmers’ outcomes.
While the Ministry currently provides a two-week elementary training program on the safe use and handling of chemicals, Kato argues that it falls short since the field of agriculture encompasses more than just chemical handling.
Agro-dealers serve as the first-line extension workers for farmers, and thus, making it mandatory for them to possess at least a certificate in agriculture would greatly enhance the effective use of inputs.
Farmers would then have the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable individuals who can guide them on proper input usage.
Joel Kakayire, the country manager for the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), emphasizes the importance of farmers knowing what inputs to use, when to use them, and in what quantities.
With numerous fertilizer blends available in the market, it becomes crucial to bridge the knowledge gaps between farmers and agro-dealers. This would ensure that farmers receive value for their money when purchasing agro-inputs and achieve the desired yields.
To address this challenge, AFAP is actively engaged in sensitizing both dealers and farmers through initiatives such as demonstration gardens and field days.
By witnessing firsthand how fertilizers are used and understanding the transition in fertilizer production, farmers and dealers can make informed decisions about their input purchases.
AFAP’s efforts aim to complement the government’s existing programs, especially considering the limited availability of extension workers across the country.
Agro-dealers play a pivotal role in extension work, as they are often the first point of contact for farmers seeking guidance and solutions to their challenges.
Equipping dealers with knowledge about fertilizer usage through training and certification would help bridge the knowledge gap and enhance their ability to serve farmers effectively.
This intervention would also address the issue of dealers stocking inputs without fully understanding their purpose.
Hassan Kato from Kam Farmer’s Services, an agro-input dealer in Masaka, acknowledges the knowledge gap regarding fertilizer application between farmers and dealers.
He believes that the Ministry’s proposed requirement for dealers to hold a minimum academic qualification in agriculture would greatly assist in addressing this challenge and improving the level of expertise among dealers.
Denis Ssebinojjo, the Masaka district agriculture officer, advises farmers to seek advice from extension officers at the sub-county level when encountering difficulties on their farms.
Instead of solely relying on agro-input shops, farmers can benefit from the expertise of extension officers, who can provide comprehensive guidance. This approach helps mitigate the knowledge gap experienced by both farmers and dealers.
By implementing the proposed certification for agro-dealers, importers, suppliers, and government authorities aim to bridge the knowledge gap in the agriculture sector.
This collaborative effort seeks to ensure that farmers receive accurate information and proper guidance on the use of various agricultural technologies, including fertilizers.
Ultimately, enhancing knowledge and expertise among agro-dealers will contribute to improved agricultural practices and increased productivity for farmers.
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