UAFMA Asks Gov't to look into the issue of quality of feeds

In Summary
  • Some of those involved in the business tend to use underhand methods that compromise the quality of the products they give to farmers.
Aimable Mbarushimana, the operations director for Murwana J.Peter Stores Limited
Aimable Mbarushimana, the operations director for Murwana J.Peter Stores Limited
Image: Courtesy Photo

The Uganda Animal Feed Manufacturers Association has asked government to look into the issue of quality of feeds that some producers are giving to farmers.

According to Aimable Mbarushimana, the operations director for Murwana J.Peter Stores Limited, whereas there are efforts to ensure they manufacture feeds that will satisfy the local market, some of those involved in the business tend to use underhand methods that compromise the quality of the products they give to farmers.

He cited an example of small fish dealers whom he accused of adding sand into it and thereby compromising the quality of animal and chicken feeds produced.He says that by giving heavy punishments to those found in breach of the proper fishing guidelines, a lesson will be sent to others who would want to indulge in improper fishing which he said also affects other sectors of the society like animal and chicken feeds which use the fish.

Mbarushimana says there are irregularities in getting the fish and the drying process which end up affecting the animal feeds industry.

David Waliggo, a policy, legal and tax consultant said it is high time government stood up to help in bringing to order those who go against the set standards.He mentioned that some dealers import small fish from neighbouring Tanzania and they add sand and sell it cheaply to manufacturers of animal and chicken feeds unknowingly and in turn compromise the quality of feeds.

“Some import kikejje from Tanzania, mix it with small fish from Uganda and add sand that they sell to gullible manufacturers who mix it in feeds. This is bad to the animal and chicken feed industry. We need to have sanity in this job or else self-seekers have started infiltrating us because their only aim is making money,”Waliggo says.

Waliggo says such practices will see the quality of locally produced feeds go down and ditched by farmers in favour of the imported concentrate feeds, insisting that this will affect the supply chain which employs a big number of Ugandans.“The supply chain has farmers, dealers and then manufacturers. If one of the three is broken down, it affects the others who will lose jobs and source of livelihood.”