ONC Calls for Review of Agricultural Input Support as Farmers Struggle with Rising Costs

What the report says

The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement has urged a review of the country’s agricultural input support system, saying farmers are facing higher production costs and difficulty obtaining quality planting materials. The call, reported by Nile Post, was led by ONC head Hadija Namyalo and focuses especially on coffee growers who are struggling to afford seedlings while the government continues to push households toward commercial farming.

According to the ONC, feedback from its coordinators around the country points to rising expenses for seedlings, fertiliser, manure, transport and labour. The office said these pressures are making it harder for farmers to start or expand enterprises and may limit the impact of productive financing under the Parish Development Model, if inputs remain unaffordable.

The ONC is asking government to rethink how agricultural inputs are supported and distributed, with more emphasis on affordability, quality, timely delivery and regional suitability. It also wants stronger monitoring to reduce diversion of inputs and better coordination among ministries, local governments, extension workers and farmer groups.

More broadly, the appeal reflects a common policy challenge in agricultural support programs: financing alone may not be enough if farmers cannot access the inputs needed to raise production.