Scientists from the Zonal Agriculture Research Development Institute (Zardi) at Buginyanya Centre in Bulambuli District have said that soils in the eastern region have lost fertility due to over cultivation.
The study was conducted in the districts of Mt Elgon, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions two months ago.
Speaking to officials from Ministry of Agriculture at the centre on Monday, Ms Eseri Nankyam, a soil scientist warned that if no immediate measure is taken by the government, the region will face food insecurity.
Ms Nankyam said that soils are getting old and weathered, meaning they are becoming less productive due to over cultivation.
“This has impacted on the productivity of the crops in the region,” she said.
Ms Nankyam said farmers who previously harvested three to five kilogrammes of coffee berries per tree only get one or two, an indicator that there is a big problem.
She says that the loss of fertility is as a result of poor farming methods and natural disasters.
“The soils are usually eroded during torrential rains which leave the ground bare with unproductive layers. During landslides, most soils and nutrients are covered underneath,” she said.