Sebei coop leaders undergo training in modern agricultural production and financial management
The training, which began on Friday and concluded on Saturday, brought together cooperative chairpersons and leaders from across the Sebei Sub-region to equip them with practical knowledge and leadership skills in agricultural investment and financial accountability
KAMPALA, May 18, 2026 — Leaders of cooperatives from the Sebei Sub-region have been trained in modern agricultural production methods and strengthen financial management practices to improve household incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote sustainable economic growth within their communities.
This was during a two-day training workshop recently organised by Core Write Consult at Eagle Scenery Hotel in Kapchorwa. Core Write Consult is a professional management and strategic advisory firm based in Uganda, and is known for its work in agricultural value chains, grant acquisition, and market research.
The training, which began on Friday and concluded on Saturday, brought together cooperative chairpersons and leaders from across the Sebei Sub-region to equip them with practical knowledge and leadership skills in agricultural investment and financial accountability.
The workshop focused on two key areas: investment in post-harvest loss reduction solutions and effective financial management for cooperatives and farmer groups. Organisers said the training aimed to empower local leaders with strategies to help farmers minimise post-harvest losses while improving the management of cooperative finances.
Opening the training, Kapchorwa District Senior Agricultural Engineer Fred Kiprop commended Core Write Consult for organising what he described as a timely and impactful initiative for the Sebei farming community.
In his remarks, Kiprop emphasised the importance of reducing post-harvest losses, noting that many farmers continue to lose significant quantities of produce due to poor handling practices, inadequate storage facilities, and limited knowledge of value addition.
He encouraged cooperative leaders to become agents of change within their communities by promoting improved agricultural practices and supporting farmers to adopt innovative preservation and storage methods.
“The future of agriculture lies not only in production, but also in how we manage what we produce,” Kiprop said. “If we reduce food losses and improve financial discipline within our cooperatives, farmers will realise greater profits and improve their livelihoods.”
The first session of the training was facilitated by Emmanuel Epiot, Project Lead Officer at Core Write Consult. Epiot guided participants through discussions on investment in food loss reduction, highlighting practical interventions that cooperatives can adopt to minimise wastage along the agricultural value chain.
During his presentation, Epiot stressed that food loss reduction is essential for improving food security and increasing farmers’ incomes. He explained that many farmers in rural communities continue to suffer losses due to poor harvesting techniques, lack of storage infrastructure, and limited access to processing technologies.
He encouraged cooperative leaders to invest in modern storage systems, improved drying methods, and value addition initiatives that can help preserve produce for longer periods and open up new market opportunities.
Epiot also challenged leaders to strengthen collaboration among farmers in order to mobilise resources for community-based agricultural projects.
“Post-harvest losses is not only an agricultural issue but also an economic opportunity,” Epiot noted. “When farmers preserve more of their harvest, they increase income, improve household nutrition, and strengthen the local economy.”
Participants engaged in interactive discussions, sharing challenges affecting farmers in their respective communities, including inadequate market access, climate-related losses, and limited financing opportunities for agricultural innovation.
Several cooperative leaders welcomed the training, saying it had broadened their understanding of practical solutions that could improve productivity and profitability among farmers.
The second major session focused on financial management and was facilitated by Sam Waneloba, an accountant and tax expert. His presentation centred on accountability, budgeting, record-keeping, savings culture, and transparency in cooperative leadership.
Waneloba emphasised that poor financial management remains one of the major challenges affecting many cooperatives and farmer associations in rural communities. He warned that without proper accountability systems, cooperatives risk mismanaging resources and losing the trust of their members.
He encouraged chairpersons and cooperative executives to adopt proper bookkeeping practices, prepare clear budgets, and ensure that all financial transactions are transparent and well documented.
“Financial discipline is the backbone of every successful cooperative,” Waneloba said. “Leaders must ensure transparency and accountability if they want members to trust and support cooperative activities.”
He further advised cooperative leaders to promote savings and investment among members, noting that financial literacy is critical to strengthening economic resilience at both household and community levels.
Participants were taken through practical exercises in budgeting, financial planning, and cooperative fund management. Many described the session as eye-opening, particularly for leaders handling community finances for the first time.
Throughout the training, participants emphasised the need for continuous capacity-building programmes to help local leaders adapt to changing agricultural and economic realities.
Organisers from Core Write Consult said the training forms part of broader efforts to empower local communities through leadership development, agricultural innovation, and financial literacy programmes.
They noted that strengthening cooperatives remains key to enhancing agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods across the Sebei Sub-region, where farming is the primary economic activity for many households.
As the workshop concluded on Saturday, participants pledged to implement the knowledge gained and share the lessons with farmers and cooperatives in their respective areas.
Many expressed optimism that the skills acquired would help improve food preservation practices, strengthen financial accountability, and enhance the performance of cooperatives across the region.
The training ended with a call for stronger partnerships between development organisations, local government authorities, and farmer groups to support sustainable agricultural development and community empowerment in Sebei Subregion.
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