Kilak farmers’ cooperative secures seven tractors

KILAK-Kilak Farmers’ Cooperative Society has received seven tractors ahead of the new planting season, with members saying they will now be able to open more land for production.

The tractors were acquired through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF].

Anthony Akol, the cooperative’s chairperson, says the government donated the tractors to government to boost mechanisation, which saves time for the farmers.

According to Akol, the cooperative will prioritise maize and soybean farming, having secured the market for the anticipated produce.

“We have secured market with the World Food Programme. Our main focus will be to promote massive production of soybeans and maize so that we can easily elevate our people out of abject poverty,” Akol said.

Justin Otim, a member of the cooperative society, said many of the farmers were struggling to join commercial farming due to lack of enough manpower, adding that tractors have come at the right time.

Otim said that with the tractors, they would now be able to clear more land since the cost of plowing is relatively cheaper when using the cooperative’s tractors compared to other tractor service providers.

According to Otim, previously, they would spend at least Shs 100,000 in clearing an acre of land, which is very expensive

“A farmer can`t engage in commercial farming when the tractor charges are very high. Hopefully, with the arrival of the tractors for the cooperative, we will be able to pay less to allow us clear bigger chunks of land for production,” Otim said.

Under the cooperative society, a farmer will be charged Shs 50, 000 to clear an acre piece of land.

Kilak Farmers’ Cooperative Society has over 22,000 registered members.

https://thecooperator.news/govt-gives-bunyoro-sacco-tractors/

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