Alarming Drop in Sorghum Yields Threatens Kigezi's Food Security

The scenic hills and valleys of Kigezi in southwestern Uganda are grappling with a quiet agricultural crisis as sorghum yields plummet. This resilient crop, vital for food, trade, and cultural drinks like obushera and omuramba, now shows stunted growth in fields, signaling risks to household sustenance in one of Uganda’s most populous areas.

Generations have depended on sorghum’s drought tolerance and modest soil needs, but farmers report harvests far below what their ancestors achieved. Key culprits include severe soil degradation from nonstop farming on steep slopes, where erosion washes away topsoil during heavy rains.

Climate change worsens the situation with unpredictable rains—dry spells harm growth, while intense downpours boost runoff. Pests like sorghum shoot fly, striga weed, and fungal diseases thrive amid depleted soils and constant cropping. Land splits from inheritance have shrunk farms, limiting rotation or diversification.

Smallholders lack access to resistant sorghum varieties and fertilizers, as national programs prioritize exports. This leads to hunger, child malnutrition, lost income from markets and brewing, and youth migration from rural areas.

Recovery is possible through soil-saving measures like terracing, contour plowing, agroforestry, and cover crops. Distributing NARO’s improved seeds, climate adaptation tools, and family planning education are critical steps. Local and national leaders must act swiftly to restore this cornerstone of Kigezi’s resilience.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)