LIRA, February 5, 2026 — Farmers under the umbrella of the Lira District Farmers’ Association [LDFA] have appealed for financial support to establish a modern warehouse to enable bulking of agricultural produce.
Leaders of the association say the facility would help farmers access better markets both within Uganda and abroad.
Currently, farmers affiliated to the association sell their produce individually due to the lack of proper storage facilities that would allow collective bulking.
Established in 1994, the association has 7,830 members drawn from 261 farmers’ groups. However, its leadership hopes to increase membership to at least 15,000. To join the association, a farmer is required to pay a registration fee of Shs 60,000.
The association’s Chairperson, Hudson Akwete, said constructing a warehouse requires substantial funding, which the association does not currently have, despite the urgent need for the facility.
“We do not have the money, but we urgently need a warehouse,” Akwete said.
He explained that the absence of a warehouse has encouraged the practice of selling produce while still in the garden, a situation that leaves farmers vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen.
“We do not have the opportunity to bulk our produce and meet the standards required for marketing. Some farmers even sell their produce before harvesting, and the middlemen cheat them heavily. A warehouse with the necessary equipment would enable us to bulk our produce and access better markets,” he said.
Akwete noted that the association has been using membership fees to provide training and advisory services, but plans to redirect part of the funds towards initiating warehouse construction as they seek additional support from government and other partners.
“The membership fees will give us an opportunity to start up the warehouse as we seek financial support from government and other well-wishers,” he said, adding that such a facility would significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Thomas Okello, Lira District Head of Production and Marketing, confirmed that there is currently no government-established warehouse in the district, although some private agro-processors operate their own facilities.
“We do not have a warehouse established by the government, but the private sector does, mainly large agro-processors,” Okello said.
He warned that without a warehouse, farmers remain exposed to price fluctuations and exploitation by middlemen.
“Produce prices will continue to fluctuate and farmers will keep being cheated by middlemen. If a warehouse existed, the government would have better control, and farmers would not be exploited,” he said.
Christine Akullo, chairperson of Te-Adwong Oil Seed Cooperative in Te-Adwong Parish, Aulewalo Village, Agweng Sub-county, also welcomed the proposal, noting that the warehouse would benefit cooperatives that currently rely on renting small storage spaces.
She said her cooperative sells produce collectively because individual sales are unprofitable.
“It would be very good for farmers in the district. If we had a warehouse, our cooperative could transport produce there. At the moment, we rent small stores, which are often too small and quickly fill up,” Akullo said.
https://thecooperator.news/lira-tailors-emyooga-sacco-registers-steady-progress-amid-few-challenges/
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