RIC-NET CONDUCTS FIRST PLANT CLINIC IN MAWA MARKET, KASESE MUNICIPALITY

In the bid to fight the increased crop pests and diseases in Kasese District, RIC-NET through Busongora community Library conducted a plant clinic at Mawa market on 1^st/Nov/2012. The clinic was the first of its kind in the Municipality. The clinic that kicked off at 10:00am attended to over 20 farmers who brought sick crop samples for diagnosis.

Farmers brought several crops for diagnosis and among others, oranges, tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes, egg plant, cassava and banana wilt were registered as the most common pests and diseases.

Plant Doctors, Asaba Wilberforce and Musabuli Erisa attended to the farmers. They diagnosed the crop samples and also educated the farmers how to manage the different crop pests and diseases identified and or inquired of.  Some framers observed that crop pests and diseases had increased to the change in climate, saying the situation seems to worsen in the rainy/wet season.

Asaba who also was selling agro-inputs and other herbi/pesticides encouraged farmers to always use the recommended slead pesticides, by the right dealers and also follow proper instructions so as to get better outputs.

Commenting on the initiative, majority of the farmers requested that the clinic should be operated every market day (Mondays and Thursdays) although RIC-NET informed them that it intends to conduct the clinics only twice a month due to logistical issues.  One Baita Francis a farmer of oranges in Kiburara, Kisinga Sub County thanked RIC-NET for organizing the plant clinic saying that it will help them (farmers) control stubborn pests and diseases. He also requested RIC-NET to extend this service to other market places so that crop pests and diseases are dealt with at ago.

He also appreciated the fact that RIC-NET had gone ahead to pass this information on through the local mass media, asserting that, it allows for broader sharing and impact.

Lastly RIC-NET also exhibited various literature on plant clinic and agricultural related activities that the farmers accessed, read through and also took home for further consumption and use.