Arabfields, Maleeka Kassou, East, West & Central Africa Agriculture Correspondent — Karamoja’s first major effort to establish wheat as a commercial crop has suffered a devastating setback after a prolonged dry spell destroyed more than 200 acres planted by farmers across the region.

The project, launched in 2026 through the Karamoja Mixed Farmers Cooperative Society, was intended to give farmers a new source of income while helping diversify an economy heavily dependent on livestock and vulnerable to erratic rainfall.

More than 100 farmers initially showed interest, but only about 40 from Nakapiripirit, Napak, Kotido and Abim districts eventually planted wheat. Most cultivated as much as six acres, investing an estimated 3.5 million Ugandan shillings each in land preparation, transport, planting and other inputs.

The early signs were encouraging. Farmers planted in May after receiving government-supplied seed, and many said the crop germinated well. But the rains weakened soon afterward, and a dry spell that began in mid-May left fields exposed to intense heat.

Charles Moru, a farmer and agricultural officer in Napak, planted about six acres. He had expected the crop to provide a new commercial opportunity, but watched it wither as the weather deteriorated. He has since reploughed his fields and is waiting for better rains before attempting another crop.

For Norah Lokadio, the failure has been even harder to absorb. She received 200 kilograms of seed but has only 50 kilograms left. After spending money and labour preparing her land, she was left without a harvest. She says she is prepared to try again, but lacks the resources to restart without outside assistance.

The scale of the losses is reflected in the seed figures. Of the 8,000 kilograms supplied by the government, 3,690 kilograms were planted. Farmers harvested only 200 kilograms, while another 4,310 kilograms were never planted, partly because of drought concerns and delays in receiving the seed.

That means the harvested crop represented only a small fraction of the seed that was distributed, underlining the severity of the season’s failure. The result has raised questions about whether wheat can become a reliable commercial crop in Karamoja without major improvements in water management and technical support.

The experience is not necessarily a verdict against wheat. Moru points to a pilot project in Napak in 2014 that performed well under more favourable rainfall conditions. That history suggests the crop can succeed in parts of Karamoja when water is available and farmers receive appropriate production guidance.

The next season will therefore be an important test. If farmers receive seed on time, access to irrigation improves and agricultural officers provide specialised training, a renewed wheat programme could produce significantly better results. Without those measures, however, another failed rainy season could discourage farmers who have already suffered substantial financial losses.

The cooperative also plans to continue promoting wheat alongside cashew nuts, macadamia and other commercial crops. Its longer-term ambition is to attract investment in agro-processing, create employment and turn Karamoja into a major food-producing area.

For that vision to become reality, the immediate priority is recovery. Farmers need water, affordable inputs and practical technical support before they can take another risk. The willingness to try again is still there, but after the losses of 2026, confidence will depend on whether the next planting season brings not only rain, but better preparation.