Thieves in Nebbi  invade gardens as banana suckers market booms

By Mike Rwothomio and Ofoymungu Lee

Theft of banana suckers from gardens  has rocked Jupangira Sub county in Nebbi District leaving many farmers to count losses.

This come as the  market for the banana stems  that grows into a parent plant has grown lately making band of thieves to invade gardens of farmers at night.

Nancy angeyayo, a farmer from jupuryek village , Jupangira parish said she got destructions in her garden only to get bundles of her banana suckers along the road side.

“I went to my garden and got destructions all over, I was later informed about  banana suckers bundled by the road side, I discovered that mine was amongst that. I don’t know how our children will study next year because it’s our Source of livelihood and income” Angeyango explained.

Masendi Nicky, a farmer in the area blamed the incident on dealers.

” I think dealers of the suckers are to blame for these destruction because there coming into this area created market for the suckers. We are totally disappointed with their action”.

Richard Kwikumi, The LC1 Chairperson of Goli Boma west village  said,  ” all our plantations are destroyed. Thieves are invading gardens to harvest the plants because the market is ready out there, we are totally disappointed”.

Suckers emerge and ensure a more or less continuous supply of shoots, each capable of producing an inflorescence. They have been used as planting material since the early days.

More than 1500 banana suckers has been stolen from gardens according to the sub_county production department.

Eynet Oyirwoth,  from Jupangira Sub County production department has condemned the incident before directing dealers to register with the LC1 Chairpersons.

“I came from the office to witness  what is happening, it’s true that  theft of the plants are everywhere, it’s so unfortunate, I call upon those dealing in the products to register with Local council 1 chairpersons because what they are doing is going to have great  impact here” He expressed.

Dealers are buying each plant sucker at Ugx 500, meaning  for a seller to get much money, he or she must gather more.

One of the dealers,  Rogers mungujakisa from Jupangira Sub_county distances self from the allegations before noting that ” for us we are buying from those  who have their own gardens”.

It’s reported that many of the dealers are coming from Boro in Panyimur Town Council Pakwach District.

Of late, there has been myriad of reports about theft of food crops from gardens across the   region of westnile