Cotton growers in several sub counties in Lamwo district may not be able to grow cotton as expected earlier due to inadequate seeds supply in many stores around the district.

According to Mr. Patrick Ocii who is a cotton grower in Lobule Village in Lokung Sub County, the main retailers allegedly acquired the seeds over three weeks ago, yet up to now there is nothing in their stores.   

Ocii who spoke to Acholi Time on Monday from Olebi Trading centre, said that most cotton growers had already prepared their gardens but are yet to planted any seeds.  Adding further that they are considering growing other crops instead.

“We have been waiting for the seeds in vain there is no cotton seeds in store this time; yet the season is about to expire for  cotton growing,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Denis Kilama of Labedociti village in Agoro Sub County said that the lack of seed is a general problem among all cotton growers in the district.

Mr Justine Okumu the Chairman of Durban - the company that purchases and distributes cotton to growers in Lamwo district said that the inadequate seed in the store is direct result of farmers not wanting to sell their cotton.

But the farmers say that the company is using them for cheap labour since last year it reduced the price of purchase to shs 1200 per Kilo instead shs 1600. 

Lamwo district is the main cotton producing district in the region since 2009.  Farmers were repeatedly urged by political leaders in the district to concentrate on cotton farming in order to boost their household income when the resettlement process was announced by the government.