Although farmers in some parts of the country are experiencing the second season rains, others are harvesting their produce, especially grain like maize and soybeans, among others.
But because of the unpredictable weather, most of that grain is at risk of not getting dry to attain the recommended moisture content, especially for grain buyers and traders.
This is because most districts with a larger number of farmers engaged in maize farming lack storage facilities.
According to Moses Musasizi, the Director of Agro Stores based in Mubende, grain farmers lack a dryer.
The available option that was established by the late Aponye is overwhelmed and cannot serve all farmers, including smallholders.
Musasizi made the appeal during a grain buyer-supplier symposium organised by the Grain Council of Uganda at Four Points Hotel in Kampala.
“Our challenge is how to manage moisture content; we need driers to get the quality of grains needed by the market. In this meeting, we are calling on investors to establish dryers in Mubende because it is one of the biggest maize hubs,” he said.
The acceptable moisture content according to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards for grains is 13.5%. This standard applies to grains and cereals traded within the East African Community.
The deputy executive director of UNBS, Patricia Ejalu, appealed to the grain stakeholders, especially producers and suppliers, to invest in moisture testing kits.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Some of the storage facilities at AFGRI KAI in Kiryandongo. (Photo by Prossy Nandudu)
