Govt procures Shs 2.2bln machinery for dairy cooperatives
KIRUHURA-The government has purchased mini dairy processing equipment worth 2.2 billion to benefit farmers in the districts of Sembabule, Kabarole and Isingiro.
According to Grace Kazigeti, the head of the Agri-business department at the National Agricultural Advisory Services [NAADS], the equipment will benefit Nyabitanga Dairy Cooperative Society in Sembabule district, Tooro Dairy Farmers Cooperative in Kabarole district, and Isingiro Dairy Cooperative.
Kazigeti disclosed the development days ago while officiating at the closure of a five-day skilling session for the beneficiaries at Mutanoga Dairy Practical Training Centre in Kiruhura district.
He said the equipment will help solve the challenges farmers have been facing with prices during peak seasons as they will now be able to store the milk for months.
The equipment will include a UHT milk production line, refrigerator and generator. She said these will help the farmers avoid exploitation by the processors who dictate price for the milk they buy from the farmers.
Farmers appreciated government for the investment, saying the equipment will help them to deal with price fluctuations and poor milk handling, which have forced some farmers to leave the dairy subsector.
“We are confident with the equipment, will be able to get better prices and…improved incomes,” said Ronald Kwikiriza, the chairperson of Tooro Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society.
Dr Halid Kirunda, the director of research at Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, called upon the beneficiaries of the project to invest in knowledge, saying it will help them to create viable agriculture ventures.
“You need to stop farming the traditional way. I challenge you to invest in knowledge, research, improved production and markets,” he said.
In May 2022, five diary cooperatives in different districts have received mini milk processing equipment to support value addition from NAADS.The beneficiaries were Balaholi Farmers Society in Kamuli, Neema Mixed Farm in Kamwengye, Dwanilo Diary and Livestock Farmers Society in Kiboga, Kigezi Diary and Producers Society in Kabale, and Kyankwazi Dairy Farmers Cooperative.
According to the Dairy Development Authority [DDA],the country’s milk production rose significantly to 3.22 billion litres in the financial year 2021/2022 from 2.8blnn litres in the financial year 2020/2021. At least Shs 382.2bln was generated from dairy exports compared to 344.2bln in FY2020/2021.
https://thecooperator.news/top-officials-of-dairy-cooperative-in-trouble-over-shs-600-mln-udb-loan/
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