NTUNGAMO- The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has embarked on an exercise to close down all unlicensed agro-chemical shops and those flouting the rules and regulations governing their operations in the south western region and Ntungamo district in particular.
According to the senior Agriculture inspector in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) Fred Muzila, 6 unlicensed agro-chemical shops in Ntungamo Municipality were closed.
Speaking to the media Muzila who led the operation with police, said the seal locks they used in locking up those shops would be removed only after the owners’ attainment of the necessary permits, meeting certain requirements and conditions.
He was mesmerized to find out that some agro-chemical shops of agricultural officers were unlicensed and others manned by unskilled personnel warning them that they risk being arrested.
Muzila noted that they will intensify with operation in the areas of Rubaare, Rwentobo, Rwashamaire, Nyamukana, Kitwe and Kafunjo among others.
He asked input dealers to take advantage of the grace period to get requirements from the office district agricultural offer Ntungamo to enable them to operate effectively and tasked the farmers stop buying inputs from un authorized dealers.
Cue in…….Muzila on inputs Eng/Lug
The district agricultural officer Atwiine Esther stressed that they have conducted several sensitization workshops on the matter but agrochemical dealers are reluctant.
