The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has called for an urgent review of Uganda’s agricultural input support and distribution framework, citing growing concerns from farmers over the rising cost and limited accessibility of quality coffee seedlings and other planting materials. The concerns, according to ONC, have been gathered through its network of coordinators across different regions and districts, with farmers, community leaders and farmer groups reporting difficulties in obtaining affordable and quality seedlings at the right time for planting.
ONC noted that the challenge could undermine Uganda’s economic transformation efforts, particularly if farmers cannot afford the basic inputs required to increase production. It noted that government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), which seeks to move households from subsistence production into the money economy, depend on farmers having access to affordable seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, extension services and other productive inputs. The statement stressed that agricultural support should respond to local conditions and the specific needs of different communities.
The concern is particularly significant for coffee farmers, with ONC noting that the cost of seedlings is becoming a major barrier to those seeking to expand production. It gave the example of a farmer intending to plant 500 coffee seedlings, who must also meet the costs of land preparation, manure, fertiliser, labour, transport and other inputs before the crop begins generating income. The ONC warned that rising input costs could force farmers to reduce the number of seedlings planted or abandon planned investments altogether.
ONC further warned that expensive agricultural inputs could have wider consequences for Uganda’s economy and household incomes. If farmers reduce production because they cannot afford planting materials, the country could eventually experience lower agricultural output, reduced household earnings, fewer employment opportunities and weaker export performance. At household level, the statement said some beneficiaries may also divert money intended for productive enterprises towards urgent needs such as school fees, food and medical expenses when the cost of establishing a farm becomes higher than expected.
ONC is therefore urging Government to strengthen and, where appropriate, reinstate a strategic distribution system for affordable, quality and climate-suitable agricultural inputs, while taking regional differences into account. It proposed a region-specific, science-led and farmer-responsive approach based on climatic and agro-ecological conditions, suitable crops, availability of certified planting materials, planting seasons, farmers’ actual needs and production capacity. It also called for stronger monitoring, transparent targeting and better coordination between national agencies, local governments, extension workers, farmer organisations and communities.
ONC further 
noted that the objective should go beyond simply distributing seedlings and instead ensure that farmers receiving support can afford to plant, maintain and eventually harvest productive crops. It also called for stronger coordination between PDM financing and agricultural input support so that beneficiaries are not left with funding but without affordable planting materials, extension services and access to markets. The office urged the Government to strengthen the availability and distribution of quality agricultural inputs, arguing that doing so would help protect household incomes, improve productivity, increase exports and support Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda.
