DOKOLO, May 22, 2026 — The Department of Production and Marketing in Dokolo District has said it intends to help apiary farmer groups in the district form Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation [SACCO] to encourage a savings culture and enable farmers to access affordable credit to support their activities.
The revelation was made by Dr Patrick Opondo, the Dokolo District Veterinary Officer and District Focal Person for the Uganda Smart Agricultural Transformation Project [UCSATP], during the recent distribution of beehives and other apiary equipment in Agwayo Village, Abenyo Parish, Dokolo Sub-county.
Dr Opondo explained that through the SACCO, local apiary farmers would be able to acquire honey-processing equipment through a co-funding arrangement.
“We would like apiary farmers in the district to form a SACCO through which they will be able to acquire equipment for processing honey and other products through co-funding, by contributing 30 per cent while the government contributes 70 per cent of the total cost of the equipment,” Dr Opondo explained.
He added that the SACCO would also help farmers access better markets and increase their incomes, thereby improving household livelihoods.
“The SACCO will also link farmers to better markets and improve the sale of their produce from their households,” he said.
Dr Richard Enyang, the Dokolo District Production and Marketing Officer, concurred with the earlier speaker, noting that organised farmer groups have a better chance of accessing grants.
“You should form one association for the whole of Dokolo because this component alone has funding under what is called a matching grant, where you contribute 30 per cent and the project provides up to Shs8 million to establish a processing plant and package your products properly,” Dr Enyang noted.
Daniel Ogwal, the chairperson of Akut-Badi En Papi Beekeeping Farmers’ Group, said it is often difficult for individuals to benefit from government projects.
He urged other farmers and community members to join groups, saying it is easier to access support collectively.
“At this time, many government projects are coming up, and if you are not in a group, you may miss out on the opportunities available. I encourage everyone to join different groups,” he said.
Currently, apiary farmers in Dokolo District operate in small groups comprising between 10 and 20 members.
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