KATAKWI: Tomatoes fungal pest has destroyed more than 20 acres of tomato gardens in Katakwi district.
An estimated 20 farmers dealing in large scale farming of Tomatoes, eggplant, watermelon in the villages of Amukurat, Omodo, Asutuni, Omodoi among others are counting losses.
John Robert Otim one of the farmers in Akoboi says all along he has never experienced a loss of over 2 million shillings.
Max Okello, a resident of Amukurat in Okokoma village explains that as a result of drought, wilting of tomato leaves also causes fungal disease.
Okello has since called on the district authorities to extend agricultural services to the community.
James Elungat the Agricultural Officer Katakwi says tomato fungal disease in most cases is caused by heavy downpour and long drought.
He asked farmers to use the common pest and diseases pesticides and continues consulting with agricultural officers at all levels