Agro- Chemical input dealers in Kibaale district have been challenged to follow regulations to reinstate the situation that is running out of hand.

Kibaale district production department was forced to swing into action and intervene after discovering that most shop dealers are mixing the agro-chemicals with food items, others were operating without licenses as well as selling expired and fake herbicides to the farmers which they say has led to countless lossess to farmers.

The concerns were raised during the a 1 day refresher training that was organized by Kibaale district production department together with Uganda National Agro- Dealers Association (UNADA) that was held at Bwamiramira Sub County premises. Agro-chemical dealers confirmed that some farmers use these inputs according to their own knowledge like using pesticides like lava and rocket as preservers of crop storage and using some herbicides to dry their pre-mature crops to catch up with the current high prices on market which they say it is dangerous to the consumers. 

Mike Lumu the Principal Agriculture Officer Kibaale said that the operation to come will confirm who is legally operating, he called upon the dealers to be very vigilant with fake drugs, check on expiry and manufacturing dates among others.

John Bosco Sekitoleko the Facilitator from UNADA asked them to sort themselves in to avoid the closure of their businesses and register with UNADA for safety. 

According to Lumu Mike the Principal Agriculture Officer, records indicates that over 80 Agro- Chemical dealers are registered noting that most of them are operating without being licensed and registered as he pledged to make a list in short time. Lumu says, to operate one needs to have registered with the district, licensed, the operator must bear a Safe Use Certificate that allows one to operate. 

In his closing remarks, Godwin Angalia Kasigwa the RDC Kibaale asserted that a clean out of the un qualifying Agro-dealers shops is to be done. he urged dealers to employ qualified personel in their shops.