Masaka Town’s grasshopper harvesters, known locally as “Abaseene,” are facing unprecedented difficulties this year as the highly anticipated grasshopper season, a longstanding tradition since 1980, has been delayed. This delay has resulted in significant financial losses and anxiety within the community.
Karimu Ziwa, the General Secretary of the Masaka Grasshopper Harvesters, expressed the collective frustration of the group. He explained that they are involved in harvesting grasshoppers and have incurred heavy expenses in electricity fees for the season. However, two weeks have passed, and there is still a lack of grasshoppers in the market, leading to fears of substantial financial setbacks.
Namaganda Recheal, a vendor at the grasshopper market in Nyendo town, shared the ripple effects of the delayed season. She revealed that due to the prolonged wait for grasshoppers, many individuals have been forced to diversify into alternative businesses such as baking chapati and roasting chicken in order to sustain their livelihoods.
Taremwa Enock, a grasshopper harvester in Mukudde Masaka, now faces the grim possibility of losing his properties to money lenders. He had borrowed money to invest in grasshopper harvesting, but with the delayed season, he has no means to repay the loan. Enock lamented the situation, stating that he might have no option but to allow his properties to be taken by moneylenders.
The grasshoppers that are available in the market are scarce and have significantly increased in price. A cup of grasshoppers, which would typically be affordable, is now being sold at an exorbitant price of Ugandan Shilling 30,000, leaving consumers dismayed.
Rose Nakyejwe, the Masaka District Environment Officer, attributes the delayed grasshopper season to environmental degradation caused by human activities. She warns that if people continue to encroach on the habitats of these essential creatures, grasshoppers and other insects may become extinct.
While some people in Kampala city blame the Masaka grasshopper harvesters for hoarding grasshoppers and keeping them out of the market, those involved in this business in the Masaka community are grappling with an unforeseen crisis. This crisis has had an economic impact on the entire community in Masaka.
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