Farmers in Kabalore district have revived granaries to promote food security. In the past, granaries were one of the key trademarks in rural households. They were used to store dried foodstuffs such as maize, groundnuts, beans and millets that would be used during drought. However the granaries were phased out several years ago, until three months ago, when Tooro cultural research and development, a local organization started promoting the use of granaries.
Granaries are now visible in several homes in the sub counties of Katebwa, Mugusu, Kichwamba and Karambi. Masereka Kikora, the secretary Toro Cultural research says that they revived the granary tradition after the organization carried out research and found out that 80% of the homes in the district were selling off all their produce instead of keeping some for the emergencies especially during cases of drought.
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Moses Rusoke, a resident of Nyantaboma in Kichwamba Sub County says that through their Savings Credit and Cooperative (SACCO), they are encouraging other households to construct granaries. He says that they don’t want a repeat of last year when some households sold off pieces of land to purchase food after their sub county was hit by drought. According to Rusoke, in the past, granaries were seen as a symbol of strength and wealth in the community.
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In Karambi Sub County, out of the 15 homes visited by Uganda Radio Network, twelve had food granaries. Every weekend, families are taught how to construct the granaries. However there are some mixed reactions from some people about reviving food granaries. Christine Mugisa, a resident of Burungu village has welcomed the revival of food granaries. Mugisa says that she can now sell and store beans, maize and millet unlike in the past when she was selling all her produce and was left with nothing to eat.
She however says that since the granaries had phased out they are facing difficulties to woo some households to construct granaries. Mugisa says that the district council should pass a by-law, making it compulsory for all households to construct food granaries to improve food security for households.
David Katuramu, a farmer in Nyantaboma says that he can’t construct a granary because he has a small piece of land and can’t grow enough produce to store in the granaries. He also says that some of the people who knew how to construct granaries in the past died and wonders whether the granaries that are being constructed are genuine.
