Drought, floods push Pader farmers to the brink as climate change bites hard

31 December 2025, 19:37

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Farmers in Pader District are grappling with the harsh realities of climate change after back-to-back seasons of floods and prolonged drought devastated crops, threatened household food security, and left families struggling to educate their children.

Mukasa Justine Oruma, a farmer and resident of Wangduku Village in Pajule Sub-county, says the second farming season has been the worst in years.

Standing in his garden harvesting maize, Mukasa recounts how excessive sunshine ruined his expectations.

“In my three acres of maize, I expected to harvest between 30 to 40 sacks,” he says. “But because of the prolonged drought, I may not even get three sacks.”

The losses have far-reaching consequences. Mukasa explains that his harvest was meant to pay school fees and support his family next year.

“I may not be able to take my children back to school. Feeding my family and paying secondary school fees next year will be very difficult.”

While the second season was marked by drought, the first season was not without challenges.

Many farmers near water sources suffered losses due to flooding, which damaged crops and made drying and storage nearly impossible.

Mego Rose Oleke, a resident of Conner Kilak in Pader Sub-county, describes 2025 as a year of extremes.

“The first season had floods everywhere, and the second season was very bad due to drought. We are harvesting simsim, maize, and groundnuts, but the yields are poor.”

Rose adds that farmers are now struggling to pay school fees and are uncertain about how they will feed their families next year.

Poor road conditions have worsened the situation by limiting access to markets, forcing farmers to sell produce at very low prices after buying seeds at very high costs.

In Puranga Town Council, Rev. Michael Ocan says timing made the difference between success and failure this season.

“Those who planted maize early in August are getting something, but those who planted in September are suffering badly from drought.”

Rev. Ocan also highlights pest infestations and storage challenges.

“If you don’t spray your crops, you may harvest nothing. Even after harvesting, storage is a big challenge because crops spoil easily.”

He appeals to government and development partners to support farmers with affordable seedlings and value-addition machines.

“If we can process maize into flour, farmers can earn better prices.”

Ojwini Richard, the LCIII Chairperson of Pukor Sub-county, warns of a looming food crisis.

“In the first season, floods destroyed crops. In the second season, drought affected maize, sunflower, and soya beans. There are serious signs of famine next year.”

He urges farmers to use what little they have wisely and cautions against selling produce for short-term celebrations.

He also calls on government and NGOs to support farmers with improved seeds, modern agricultural training, and protection from exploitative middlemen.

“Farmers buy sunflower seeds of 2-5kg at 60,000 to 75,000 shillings, but after harvest, middlemen buy produce at very low prices,” he says.

Mr. Charles Odongtoo, LCIII Chairperson of Lunyiri Sub-county, acknowledges that farmers currently receive limited direct support but credits the Parish Development Model (PDM) for helping communities.

“The biggest complaint from farmers is low prices during harvest,” he says. “Our land is fertile, but the second season was badly affected by drought. Many farmers now depend on village savings and loan associations (VSLA) to buy seeds and pay school fees.”

Produce dealers are not spared either. Ojara Apoowegi, a trader in Pader Town Council, says sourcing produce has become difficult.

“We buy sorghum at 850, maize at 800, and sunflower between 1,000 and 1,200 per kilo,” he explains. “But this season, getting produce from villages is very hard, and the quality is poor due to drought.”

Poor roads and high fuel costs further reduce profits, sometimes forcing traders to return empty-handed.

According to Mr. Seydou Opoka Adolatona, the Pader District Agricultural and Production Officer, rainfall was generally adequate in 2025, but late planting proved costly.

“Farmers who planted late in the second season were most affected by drought,” he says. “We advise early planting in both seasons and the use of the right seedlings.”

He also urges farmers to avoid replanting diseased cassava cuttings and to follow agricultural guidance to improve yields.

As climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming patterns, farmers across Pader District are calling for urgent support affordable seeds, better storage facilities, value addition, market regulation, and continuous training.

Without intervention, many fear that the losses of today could turn into widespread hunger tomorrow.