LIRA, May 7, 2024 – Former State Minister of Housing, Sam Engola has pledged total support to Gomi Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Agali Sub-county, Lira district.
Launching the cooperative recently at Gomi Trading Centre, Engola urged farmers to join the cooperative as an alternative to generate household income and fight against poverty.
Engola, who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Lango Sub-region said increasing membership would offer opportunities to the cooperatives to acquire credit facilities from government. He donated Shs 200, 000 to the cooperative.
The cooperative with 40 registered members started four years ago to promote the production of oil seeds such as sunflower, soybean, and simsim, according to the Chairperson, Richard Odongo.
Odongo lauded Engola, saying by supporting the cooperative, it will grow to empower local farmers, enhance production, and offer improved seeds and fertilisers.
Currently, he said, the cooperative faces cooperative faces challenges in accessing adequate funds to bolster its operations.
Odongo said the contribution has come as a timely boost and offered much-needed financial support to the cooperative.
“It will help us to invest in essential resources such as improved seeds, fertilisers, and modern farming equipment,” he added.
He said the cooperative leaders plan to launch capacity-building initiatives aimed at equipping farmers/members with the latest agricultural techniques and practices.
However, he said more members are being registered, paying a membership fee of Shs 10,000 while Shs 100,000 is for buying shares within the cooperative.
In a related development, Engola who has expressed interest in contesting for Erute South Members of Parliament come 2026 parliamentary elections, recently pledged to support Mid-North Bee Farmers’ Cooperative to boost the commercial production of honey.
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