KOLE -Alito joint Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society in Okwerodot Sub-county, Kole district wants farmers in Lango Sub-region to embrace large-scale oil seed production, saying there is an increase in the demand for the seeds.
The executive director of the cooperative, John Christopher Okwang, said the demand for oil seeds such as soybean, sunflower, and simsim is growing daily as a result of the factories being built in the sub-region.
Lango Sub-region is known for growing oil seeds, especially soybean, and sunflower as their main commercial crops.
According to the chairperson of Uganda Chambers of Commerce and industry, Lira branch, Deo Kibirige, the sub-region has about 60 oil seed processing factories as the demand for oil seeds grows daily.
A kilo of soybean is being sold at Shs 2,100 and sunflower at Shs 1,500, according to Kibirige who is also the communication manager for Guru Nanak Oil Mills in Lira City.
To realise further growth, Okwang says the cooperative is targeting to recruit more members, train farmers in oil seed production, look for better markets, and recruit more field extension officers.
Alito joint Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Okwang said, started in 1998 with only five members but has since grown to 16,015 registered members and recruited 14 field extension officers to train farmers in Lango Sub-region.
He said most of their members have become prosperous through growing soybean and sunflower since they are more rewarding compared to other crops.
George Okello, a member of the cooperative, said since he joined five years ago, he has never failed to raise money through farming to pay school fees for his children.
He said last season, he produced three tons of soybean which he sold at Shs 3,000 a kilo, and used some of the money to clear tuition for his child pursuing courses at Bukalasa Agricultural College in Luwero district.
Esther Okullo, another member of the farmers’ cooperative, said she has benefitted through bulking and sale of her produce.
She said any person who joins the cooperative will never incur any losses as long as the crops are not destroyed in the gardens.
Okwang said their main focus now is to ensure more members join the cooperative. He expects the number of members to reach 20,000 after two years.
https://thecooperator.news/otuke-farmers-co-ops-to-boost-production-of-oil-seeds-and-rice/
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