Bukoola, Wunwan train more than 1,300 Pader farmers on agrochemical use

2 September 2026, 11:19

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

More than 1,300 farmers in Pader District have been trained on the proper use of agrochemicals and other agricultural inputs, with stakeholders urging them to embrace modern and commercial farming practices.

The two-week training was organised by Northern Uganda Wunwan Farmers Centre in partnership with Bukoola Chemical Industries Limited and covered four areas of Pader District.

The training reached farmers in Pukor Subcounty, covering Olam, Pukor, Kalangore and Kineni parishes; Ogom Subcounty, covering Owele, Ogom, Ogeng, Gulnam, Otong and Kiteny parishes; and Paiula Subcounty, covering Lamogi, Paiula, Paluo and Ogago parishes.

In Pader Town Council, the training was conducted in Lagwai, Luna and Acoro parishes.

Obatal Patrick Ocaya, Director of Northern Uganda Wunwan Farmers Centre, says the training was aimed at changing farmers’ mindset towards agricultural chemicals and encouraging them to view farming as a business.

Ocaya says some farmers have traditionally believed that agricultural chemicals damage the soil and cause health complications, making them reluctant to use modern crop protection products.

He says the training provided farmers with knowledge on the proper use of agrochemicals, crop protection and other agricultural practices to help them improve production.

Ocaya has urged the beneficiaries to put the knowledge gained into practice, saying the centre plans to conduct follow-up visits after three months or next year to assess how farmers are applying the skills.

He says the organisation also intends to extend similar training to farmers in Agago and Kitgum, as part of its wider plan to reach communities across Northern Uganda.

Ocaya has appealed to well-wishers, development partners and government agencies to support the initiative, saying Wunwan Farmers Centre cannot reach all farmers in Northern Uganda on its own.

Meanwhile, Stephen Olea, Agricultural Technical Sales Representative at Bukoola Chemical Industries Limited, says the training focused on crop protection, safe use of agrochemicals and farming as a business.

Olea says many farmers spend a lot of time, energy and money cultivating small pieces of land because they lack knowledge about agricultural products that can help control weeds, pests and diseases.

He encouraged farmers to adopt commercial farming and use appropriate agricultural inputs to reduce labour and improve crop production.

Olea also warned farmers about counterfeit agricultural products, including fake seeds and agrochemicals. He urged farmers to buy inputs from trusted and recognised agro-dealers and report suspected counterfeit products to authorities.

Pader District Agricultural Officer Oketayot Andrew cautioned farmers against misusing agricultural chemicals, urging them to follow instructions provided by manufacturers to avoid damaging crops, soils and the environment.

He also encouraged farmers to regularly attend agricultural trainings to improve their knowledge and skills.

Oketayot advised farmers to purchase inputs from recognised agro-input dealers, citing Northern Uganda Wunwan Farmers Centre as one of the recognised providers, and warned them against middlemen selling agricultural products at unusually cheap prices.

Pader Town Clerk Mark Lamson Okello thanked Northern Uganda Wunwan Farmers Centre for organising the training and called for more programmes aimed at changing farmers’ mindsets.

Okello also urged livestock owners to properly manage their animals to prevent them from straying into and destroying other farmers’ gardens.

Some beneficiaries say the training has already changed their approach to farming.

Naracisto Owino, a resident of Lagwai Central A Cell, says she has gained new knowledge on proper planting and crop management and expects a better harvest next season.

Akullu Kamila, from Opongbenge Cell in Acoro Parish, says the training has opened her eyes to better farming practices, particularly the use of agricultural chemicals for weed control, field preparation and pest management.

She says the new knowledge will help her save time and improve production, promising to apply the skills gained for a bigger harvest next season.