GULU, February 21, 2025 – Talia Group Limited, a company that grows and purchases chia seeds in the Acholi Subregion, has turned to cooperatives in an effort to meet the international organic standards.
James Muathe, the director of Talia Group Limited, explained that international buyers no longer wish to purchase chia from brokers. “They want the money to benefit people directly, rather than buying from wealthy individuals. They also want to trace the chia to its place of origin to ensure it was produced organically,” Muathe said.
Chia, which is consumed raw by being mixed into water, juices, and other foods, requires producers to maintain high cleanliness standards. However, Muathe claims that some farmers have been intentionally mixing chia with substances such as sand, millet, and sesame in an attempt to increase their profits.
“We currently have six bags of chia mixed with other items. One farmer mixed two sacks of chia with sesame. He wanted to capitalise on the high price of chia, which was selling for Shs 5,000 per kilogramme, but he ultimately lost out when we discovered it. Other farmers have been mixing chia with millet, as the price of millet dropped to Shs 1,500,” Muathe explained.
The company, which purchased 3,500 metric tonnes of chia from farmers in Gulu, Pader, Omoro, and Lamwo alone in 2024, plans to buy over 5,000 metric tonnes this year to export to countries such as Denmark and the United Arab Emirates [UAE].
Robert Wagwanga, the Chairperson of Bobi United Grain Producers Cooperative in Omoro district, said that most farmers are reluctant to grow chia due to the lack of a local market.
“The only way farmers will agree to grow chia again is through contract farming. Some people introduced chia to the area two years ago, and the crop performed well, but they never returned to purchase it. They left farmers stranded, and people don’t consume it locally,” Wagwanga said.
According to nutrition experts, chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, minerals, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which play a vital role in supporting various body functions and systems. The nutrients in chia seeds may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management.
https://thecooperator.news/chia-farmers-maximise-profits-with-mechanisation/
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