Lira, Uganda | Agro input dealers across the Lango Sub-region have resolved to intensify the fight against counterfeit agricultural inputs by working closely with the Uganda Police Force to arrest illegal traders operating in local markets.
The resolution was reached during a meeting of agro input dealers held in Lira City on Friday, July 24, 2026, where members agreed on a coordinated crackdown to protect farmers from fake seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural products.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairperson of Agro Input Dealers in the Lango Sub-region and Director of Jalson Farmers Uganda Limited, Susan Acen, said the dealers had agreed to begin joint inspections with the police in markets across the region to identify and apprehend individuals selling counterfeit or unlicensed agricultural inputs. She also announced that Richard Odongo had been appointed to coordinate inspection activities in all districts within the sub-region.
Acen appealed to District Agricultural Officers to strengthen collaboration with licensed agro input dealers, expressing concern that some suspects previously arrested for selling counterfeit agricultural products had reportedly been released without facing legal action. She noted that the growing sale of fake farm inputs was hurting genuine businesses and exposing farmers to heavy financial losses through poor crop yields.
The association’s vice chairperson and director of Shalak Agro Input, Easy Bash Machar, said the planned enforcement operations would specifically target individuals dealing in counterfeit or unlicensed agricultural inputs. He urged the government to take stronger action against the illegal trade, warning that fake farm inputs were undermining agricultural production and threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
Another agro input dealer, Tinoq of Tinoq and Family Agro Input along Olwol Road in Lira City, called for tougher enforcement of existing laws to eliminate counterfeit agricultural products from the market. He said licensed dealers were increasingly losing customers because fake products were being sold at lower prices, making fair competition difficult.
Lira City Agricultural Officer Denis Ocaya assured the dealers that his office would fully support the crackdown on illegal agro input traders. He warned that anyone found selling agricultural inputs without authorisation or dealing in counterfeit products would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
Ocaya further encouraged licensed agro input dealers to continue reporting suspected illegal traders to the relevant authorities, saying stronger collaboration between enforcement agencies and genuine dealers would help safeguard farmers, improve agricultural productivity and restore confidence in the agricultural input market across the Lango Sub-region.
