The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has urged farmers to start preparing gardens for planting on the onset of the seasonal rains.
According to Bwango Apuuli, the chairperson UNMA board, the onset of the season is expected around early to mid-March in several parts of the Southern sector, that is South Western, Central and Lake Victoria basin well as for the Northern part of the country is excepted from around mid-March to late March spreading into early April.
Bwango explained that the onset is likely to be characterized by thunderstorms associated with strong winds, lightning and hailstorms over several parts of the country.
According to George William Omony, the Ag. Director Forecasting service at UNMA, farmers should monitor the characterize of the rains so that they make a proper selection of the seed to plant.
“Farmers are encouraged to make proper selection of the seeds to plant, to practice water harvesting for micro irrigation and also monitor the occurrences of crop pests and diseases as well as parasites and report to
the extension workers,” Omony said.
He further stated that the beginnings of that rainfall of the year is always characterized with a lot of disasters, strong winds flooding due to too much rainfall.
Farmers and the general public are urged to make preparations accordingly.