However, the venture stalled after just 14 months when the cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), a virus which destroys the cassava tuber by causing it to rot, attacked his crops. Dejected, he counted his losses and prepared another 20-acre piece of land for the next season.

That’s when he bought and planted Nase 14 cassava cuttings in 2013, having been informed by friends that the hybrid variety was a better option. The Nase 14 was bred by scientists at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge using modern biotechnology.

Even though during that period there was a long dry spell, Drasiku went on to harvest around 800 bags of planting supplies, which he sold to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) at Shs 27,000 per sack. In total, he realized Shs 21.6 million.

“I had no major problem with the stubborn CBSD this time but our major challenge was the long drought and wild pigs which move through the gardens and eat crops,” he said.

He also did ‘rationing,’ which are the new plants that come up from the roots after a previous crop was harvested. From these, he realized 2,200 bags which earned him Shs 59.4 million. While he concentrated on producing cassava planting materials, he harvested 180 bags of cassava tubers which he sold at Shs 50,000 per bag.

In 2015, Drasiku opened up another 16 acres of his land where he planted the Nase 19 cassava variety strictly for producing planting stalks. In 2016, he harvested 1,400 bags which he sold at Shs 50,000 each. He sold them to the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) project and earned a cool Shs 70 million.

In May this year, the farmer harvested tubers from six acres of the land and got 150 bags, from which he grossed Shs 25.5 million not to mention 1,700 bags of planting materials.

“I’m telling you, this Nase 19 has high yields and can withstand CBSD. The tubers are sweet and produce three times more than the ordinary cassava variety. The tubers I sold were between Shs 170,000 and Shs 200, 000 a sack,” he explained.

From his earnings, Drasiku has procured a maize-processing machine and sells the flour. In July last year, he embarked on growing another new variety, Naro Cass 1, which is renowned for its high resistance to crop disease. It also matures fast, within 10 to 12 months.

MODEL FARMER

With this success, Drasiku has become a model farmer and his farming is closely monitored by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro) and ABI Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institute (ABI ZARDI), a government supervising agency based in Arua. He is also a certified seed supplier in Arua, Nebbi and Yumbe.

According to Sadiq Kassim, the director of research at ABI ZARDI, the institute’s role is to provide applied and adaptive research to farmers in the West Nile region through its crop and natural resources programme.

“Our focus is to introduce newly-released cassava varieties that are resistant to diseases, have high yields and are sweet compared to traditional varieties which are a little bitter,” he explains.

“These new varieties mature quickly and are harvested between 12 and 18 months compared to two or three years it takes for old varieties.”

Drasiku, who also trains farmer groups in the region, has attracted several farmers to follow suit.

TESTIMONIES

One of those beneficiaries is Robert Cwinya-ai, who has since set up his own cassava farm. He hails from neighbouring Alivu village and quit teaching at Adumi SS to start growing cassava.

“I kept seeing the benefit from other farmers around me, including Abdallah. There have been seed and planting materials being supplied by OWC; so, I decided to take up the opportunity,” he narrates.

In 2015, he started growing Nase 19 cassava variety on six acres and in 2016; he purchased five sacks of planting material, most of which he bought from Drasiku.

His first harvest in April this year saw him get 195 sacks of cassava tubers from which he earned Shs 9.7 million from OWC while in August, the 110 sacks he harvested brought in Shs 5.5 million.

“Apart from government, I have also sold my produce to NGOs like Caritas. Drasiku has motivated us a lot and encouraged us to grow in this trade,” he says.

Sisto Moja, a research officer at ABI ZARDI, admits that introduction of the new crop varieties faced a lot of resistance from local farmers, most of whom are still attached to the old varieties like Mingoro, Palawu and Ariwara, among others.

Furthermore, Moja says different government programmes lack sustainable patterns, which leaves farmers disenfranchised.

“We have unsustainable programmes on the grounds. Each programme comes with its own designs; so, there is no continuity and this leaves the farmers confused,” he says.

GMO controversy

Uganda is currently at crossroads over an attempt to introduce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on the market, through the Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012.

In June this year, parliament began scrutinizing the controversial bill whose proponents believe will be a boost for farmers who have faced long drought. However, those against the bill warn that GMOs will wipe out Uganda’s largely organic farming industry.

According to Kassim, the delay to pass the regulatory law has forced Ugandan scientists to halt the release of GMO cassava breeds.

Drasiku says once the controversial law is passed, he will be among farmers introducing GMO cassava in his area, adding that Ugandans should support its scientists’ efforts in promoting food security.

“I have no objection with something which researchers have produced. By the time they produce a variety, it is tested and proven. They also go through a lot of protocols to ensure it is good for human consumption. We want varieties that give high yields,” he says.

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