The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is set to train 3,500 grain farmers in Acholi sub region with new storage techniques in a bid to reduce contamination by aflatoxin which is linked to liver cancer.
Under the Special Operations Project through Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), a Non Governmental Organization contracted by the UN agency to implement the project, will procure and supply stainless steel silos and super grain bags for storing harvested cereals such as maize and rice for farmers in Amuru, Gulu and Nwoya districts.
The storage facilities are pests and moisture proof and can store up to one tonne of harvested crops for to nine months without losing its quality.
A single steel container can cost between Shs70, 000- Shs360,000 on the local market.
Ms Mary Stella Mavenjina, the Head of WFP in Northern Uganda says, “The goal of the program is to address the poor storage techniques among farmers in the region.”
Mavenjina says due to poor storage, farmers are consuming cereals contaminated with aflatoxin, a chemical which can cause cancer in humans.
Mavejina, a professional nutritionist, noted that because of the Poor Health Seeking Behavior among most of the farmers, many suffer from the disease unknowingly.
She adds that the new project will tackle the problem at household level because majority of the farming community seek health services late.
WFP also says their intention is to stamp out middlemen who exploit farmers by buying their grains cheaply.
Mr Morris Lubangakene, the Field Officer for ACTED, the company which will undertake the seven months project says, “Apart from addressing the health risk associated with the consumption of contaminated cereals, the beneficiaries will save up to 70 percent of their harvested crops.”
Lubangakene explained that, “During harvest, grain farmers lose up to 60 percent of their crop in between the garden and storage facilities.”
He attributed the problem to poor storage facilities which exposes the harvests to weevils and rodents such as rats.
According to Lubangakene, the new storage technique will offer farmers an opportunity to improve on quality which can command high prices in the market.
Mr Simon Nyero, a maize farmer from Oluba village, Ongako Sub County, in Gulu district who is currently using the new technique says he saved up to 70 percent of his maize harvest last season.
“I earned Shs1.4M from two tonnes of maize after market prices improved,” He said.
Around 45 percent of farmers (in Gulu) lack proper storage facilities compared to 40 per cent in the country.
This means most of the stored food ends up getting contaminated, something that puts their lives at risk.
