SERERE– East Kyoga Multipurpose Cooperative Society [EKMCS] has installed a cassava hammer milling machine worth Shs 18.5 million, according to Stephen Epau, the cooperative’s chairperson.
Epau says the milling machine was established with support from the Agricultural Cluster Development Project [ACDP] under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF].
Epau explained that the cooperative has over 300 acres of land used to grow mainly cassava and maize. Other crops they grow include simsim, sorghum, and others.
According to Epau, the cooperative’s mill has the capacity to grind 3 tonnes of cassava per hour, which will help farmers to produce in larger quantities and also increase their incomes.
He added that farmers will benefit directly without involving the middlemen who exploit them.
Epau further explained that they have so far trained two machine operators but hope to add more 10 employees which will bridge the gap in unemployment. “This will create jobs for our people, especially the youth,” he said.
He says the cooperative plans to add value to the cassava by remodelling and packaging its products because they want to attract foreign investors.
George William Odeke, a farmer and a resident of Ocapa town council who joined the cooperative last year has 23 acres of cassava and hopes to reap big out of this investment. “ Before, I would transport my cassava to Soroti for processing,” he said.
Emmanuel Opule, a former accountant is another farmer who has applauded government for the initiative, saying they will be able to produce clean cassava flour.
https://thecooperator.news/nebbi-cassava-cooperative-in-need-of-tractor/
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