Pader farmers welcome Bukoola, Wunwan modern farming training

1 September 2026, 07:44

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Farmers in Paiula Subcounty, Pader District, have welcomed training on modern agricultural practices, saying the knowledge acquired will help reduce labour, improve production and transform farming into a profitable business.

The training was conducted on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Loyonyero Primary School in Kaladima Village, Ogago Parish, by Northern Uganda Wunwan Farmers Centre in partnership with Bukoola Chemical Industries Limited.

Farmers were trained on the proper use of agricultural chemicals, fertilisers, seeds, crop disease management, garden planning and other modern agronomic practices.

Lakot Grace, one of the participating farmers, said the training had equipped her with knowledge that could save time and reduce labour in her garden.

She said farmers also need to adjust their planting practices because changing weather patterns are increasingly affecting agricultural activities.

Ocan John, an 86-year-old farmer from Kaladima Village, said the training was particularly important because farming conditions have changed significantly over the years.

John said declining soil fertility and changing farming conditions have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to achieve good harvests without appropriate agricultural inputs.

He appealed for seeds and other agricultural services to be brought closer to rural communities and provided early enough to allow farmers to prepare for planting.

Another farmer, Kicaber Joseph Lugalitiya, said the training had changed his understanding of farming from producing food mainly for household consumption to treating agriculture as a business.

He said improved production and commercialisation of farming could help households meet important needs such as school fees and other family expenses.

Alex Odong, another participant, said he had previously spent significant time and labour in his garden because he lacked knowledge about appropriate agricultural inputs.

Odong said he plans to apply the skills acquired to improve production and increase household income.

The training organisers say a knowledge gap remains one of the major barriers to increased agricultural production in Northern Uganda.

Obatal Patrick Ocaya, Director of Northern Uganda Wunwan Farmers Centre, said farmers should take advantage of the available fertile land in Northern Uganda by adopting modern agricultural practices that can help them increase production and make farming more profitable.

Ocaya said farming should no longer be viewed only as a means of producing food for household consumption, but as a business that requires proper planning, access to reliable markets and timely agricultural information.

He also urged farmers to adapt to changing weather patterns by adopting up-to-date agronomic practices, saying climate and environmental changes are increasingly affecting agricultural activities.

Ocaya said the organisation provides farmers with genuine, verified agricultural products at subsidised prices, alongside extension services, garden visits and technical advice, while also linking farmers to reliable markets.

Stephen Olea, Agricultural Technical Sales Representative at Bukoola Chemical Industries Limited, said many farmers continue to lose crops because they lack adequate knowledge about pests, diseases, weeds and the appropriate agricultural products to use.

Olea urged farmers to make informed decisions before establishing their gardens, saying choices made at the beginning of a farming season can determine whether a farmer makes a profit or suffers losses.

He encouraged farmers to move away from poorly planned mixed cropping and instead select crops and production methods based on the size of their land, available resources and the intended market.

Olea said Bukoola Chemical Industries Limited is in Pader to equip farming communities with practical agricultural knowledge and information, while encouraging farmers to change their mindset and embrace farming as a profitable business.

Anywar George William King, LCIII Chairperson of Paiula Subcounty, said bringing agricultural training directly to rural communities can help address some of the challenges farmers face in accessing professional advice and information.

Anywar urged people to use the knowledge and skills gained from the training wisely to adapt to climate change, saying that empowering someone with knowledge is more valuable and sustainable than simply giving them material support.

He thanked the organisers for investing in farmers and encouraged similar initiatives to reach more communities.