Amolatar cooperatives decry limited market access despite strong production
AMOLATAR, July 15, 2025 –– Despite strong agricultural production, cooperative societies in Amolatar district are grappling with limited access to markets, a challenge that continues to undermine their profitability and growth.
Amolatar district is home to 56 cooperative societies, with more than 20 engaged in agricultural enterprises such as seed production and crop farming. The rest are involved in savings and transportation ventures aimed at generating income to support the development of their cooperatives.
Among the most active agricultural cooperatives are Aco-icen Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, Agwenonywal Cooperative Society Limited, Akol United Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, Alobokwee Oil Seed Farmers Producers’ Cooperative Society Limited, and Alwala Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited.
Others include Arwotcek Women’s Cooperative Society Limited, Dii-cunyi Cooperative Society Limited, Epyel United Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, Kasubi Amolatar Fishing Cooperative Society Limited, and Ket-itic Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited.
However, leaders of these cooperatives say that despite producing in bulk, they lack the skills and knowledge required to access wider markets. As a result, they are often forced to sell their produce at low prices to local buyers and middlemen.
“When we harvest crops like simsim, maize, and soybeans, finding a market is very difficult,” said Sam Onyang, Chairperson of Pedacon Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited. “We end up selling at very low prices, yet we buy seeds at high costs. Sometimes it becomes hard to treat farming as a business when production costs are high and returns are low.”
Onyang believes that with better market access, cooperatives in Amolatar could earn significantly more, given the fertile nature of the land and the district’s high production potential.
“If there were stable markets, we would fetch better prices and make more money because we can produce a lot, thanks to our fertile soil,” he added.
Francis Ojok, the District Production Officer, acknowledged the cooperatives’ achievements in production but admitted that market linkages remain a major challenge.
“Our cooperatives are active and productive, some producing 10 to 20 tonnes of maize, simsim, and soybeans, which is commendable. However, marketing remains our greatest challenge. There’s a gap between producers and organised seed dealers, especially those from neighbouring countries like Kenya and Rwanda,” Ojok explained.
Despite the challenges, some cooperatives have made strides in opening new markets through trade expos.
Hellen Ogwal, Chairperson of Agikdak Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, said that participating in regional agricultural trade shows has helped them establish market linkages although more needs to be done.
“We’ve travelled to Jinja, Gulu, and Lira cities for trade fairs. Just this July, we participated in the National Agricultural Trade Show in Jinja, which has helped us build useful connections,” Ogwal said, adding that they ’are working hard to create more market for their produce.
To address the persistent issue of limited market access, Ojok called for increased collaboration with development partners to provide training for cooperative members.
“My appeal is for partners to come on board to train our cooperatives in cooperative management and business service development, especially in marketing,” he said.
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