Kilak Farmers’ Cooperative Society to explore Burundian market
KAMPALA, January 17, 2024 – Kilak Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Amuru district has approached Joseph Ntakirutimana, the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly [EALA] to help the cooperative access his country’s agricultural produce market.
Currently, the cooperative Society with over 20,000 members spread across the district is engaged in the massive production of cereals like; maize, millet, sorghum, simsim, soybeans, and beans, among others.
Anthony Akol, the Board Chairperson of the cooperative, also the Kilak North Member of Parliament while meeting the Burundian legislator, Ntakirutimana on the sidelines of the recently concluded Speaker`s Conference in Munyonyo, Kampala stated that the cooperative intends to supply its agricultural produce to the East African Community [EAC] market.
Akol said, last year the members of the cooperative society saw bumper harvests but have been frustrated by price fluctuations.
“Our members saw huge harvests from maize, beans, among others but have been frustrated by the lack of market for the produce, and as a result forced to sell their goods very cheaply. Currently, a kilogramme of maize in Amuru district costs between Shs 500 and Shs 800 , which is too low,” Akol said.
Akol said farmers in the district through their cooperative can export their produce to Burundi at a better price.
On his part, Ntakirutimana, who was open to the farmers in Amuru district exploring the market in his country, said he would visit the cooperative in June this year to further the discussion for a possible partnership.
He said that Burundi has a huge challenge when it comes to the quality agricultural products, given its poor rain pattern which doesn’t support farming.
Kilak Farmers’ Cooperative Society last year partnered with Kijani Forestry and Trafford to sell farmers’ soybeans, pushing away middlemen who are often accused of causing price instabilities for their own benefits.
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