APAC, July 16, 2026 — Soybean farmers in Apac District under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project [UCSATP] are set to form a district-wide cooperative to improve production, value addition and marketing of the oilseed.
The development was announced recently during the distribution of N6 soybean seeds and other agricultural inputs, including spray pumps, tarpaulins and gumboots, to support crop production and post-harvest handling at Apac District headquarters.
The beneficiaries, who are already organised into farmer groups under the UCSATP, include Abolokoma Elders in Apoi Sub-county, Mito Tute Group in Ibuje Town Council, Orib Can Farmers’ Group in Apac Sub-county, and Laruda Fabrication Farmers’ Group in Akere Division, all in Apac District, northern Uganda.
Maxwell Elinga, the UCSATP Focal Point in Apac district, said the formation of the cooperative would provide farmers with greater opportunities and benefits.
He urged the farmers to concentrate on soybean production to ensure good harvests.
“After this, we are going to form a higher-level organisation called the Apac District Soybean Farmers’ Cooperative. At that level, we shall be able to access more equipment such as tractors, boom sprayers, trailers and even lorries to transport produce to the market. However, the most important thing now is to grow the soybean seeds well and achieve a good harvest,” Elinga said.
He also appealed to the farmers to make proper use of the agricultural inputs they had received, noting that the N6 soybean variety matures quickly and that the project’s main objective is to increase production and productivity.
“We want you to grow these high-value soybean seeds because they mature quickly. Let us also use the equipment responsibly, as the focus of this project is to increase production, productivity and marketable volumes,” he said.
Betty Jokene, the Apac District Production and Marketing Officer, commended the beneficiary farmers and encouraged them to work closely with agricultural extension workers to maximise yields.
“I consider you among our model farmers because a good farmer is always prepared with the necessary equipment before the planting season begins. I also encourage you to make full use of the extension workers, who will guide you on the proper use of this equipment,” Jokene said.
She further urged the farmers to use the equipment responsibly, saying that good farming practices and improved harvests would increase their chances of accessing additional modern agricultural facilities.
“Use the equipment you have received today for its intended purpose as we wait for more support, which will depend on how well we carry out farming and the harvests we achieve,” she said.
On market availability, Jokene assured the farmers that there was a ready market for soybean produce.
“I want to assure you that everything we grow here has a market. The challenge is simply penetrating those markets and demonstrating the value of what we produce. We want farmers to think like business people who earn profits. Let us prepare our gardens well. We are optimistic that rainfall will be favourable this season, and soybeans planted during this season usually produce good harvests,” she said.
Willy Amute, the Senior Agricultural Officer for Apac District, encouraged the farmers to market their produce as certified seed rather than as grain, noting that seed attracts better prices.
“When the crop is ready, let us not rush to sell it as grain. If we achieve high yields and bulk our produce together, we can sell it as seed and earn more income,” Amute said.
Meanwhile, Apac District Speaker Oscar Ogwang Edule said the project would promote produce bulking, making quality seed more accessible to farmers within the district.
“Personally, I used to travel to Lira to buy soybean seed at high prices. This project presents a great opportunity for us. When your produce is ready and bulked together, I will come here and buy it,” Ogwang said.
According to experts, Apac district is Uganda’s largest single soybean-producing area, dedicating over 23,000 ha of land to the crop. Yields typically range from 700 kg/ha to over 500 kg/ha [3 to 5 bags per acre].
The Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project is a US$ 350 million, six-year initiative funded by the World Bank and the Government of Uganda. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], it aims to boost agricultural productivity, improve market access, and build resilience against climate change for smallholder farmers.
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