KWANIA, March 6, 2025 – Kenny Auma Lapat, the Kwania District Woman Member of Parliament, has urged farmers to join cooperatives in order to enhance their bargaining power and improve household incomes.
Speaking to members of the Ever Ready Association [ERA] at Aderolongo Trading Centre, Akali Subcounty, during the official launch of the group, Auma encouraged farmers to move away from individualism and work together in groups, saying this will protect them against middlemen who exploit them by offering low prices.
“The government is encouraging farmers to form cooperatives so that they can receive support as a group, not as individuals. For example, Alito Joint Cooperative Society in Kole District is supplying funds to Kwania and other parts of Lango. I also want to encourage you to form cooperatives to avoid being exploited by middlemen and money-lending institutions who are taking advantage of your National IDs,” she said.
Pooling resources together
The Member of Parliament highlighted the urgent need for farmers to unite with the goal of improving their socio-economic status through mobilisation, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods.
“Cooperative societies make it easier to access credit, reduce overhead costs, and increase profits for farmers. Those who grow the same crops can form a cooperative society, pooling their resources together to work as a team and overcome challenges that would be insurmountable if they worked individually and in isolation,” she explained.
“For instance, a cooperative society can purchase fertilisers or wheelbarrows in bulk at a lower price and distribute them to its members at an affordable cost.”
Boosting savings
Auma advised the members of the Ever Ready Association to invest in projects such as poultry farming and other sustainable ventures that would boost their savings and propel the association to greater success.
“Now that you have your savings, I encourage you to invest in vibrant projects like pig farming, poultry, or beekeeping to increase your savings and take this group to greater heights. Relying solely on savings is detrimental for a small group like yours,” she said, while also making a personal contribution of Shs 600,000, with an additional Shs 500,000 for her counterpart, Bob Okae, the Member of Parliament for Kwania North County.
Support for cooperatives
Julius Ocen, a member of the Ever Ready Association, welcomed Auma’s suggestion with enthusiasm. Ocen, who believes strongly in the efficiency of cooperative societies, shared his experience.
“I have now bought more land and am planting more trees from the money I borrowed from one of the cooperatives in Kole District. The idea of forming cooperatives, as proposed by MP Auma, is excellent; we will look into it and possibly implement it,” he said.
Ambrose Okello, Chairperson of the Ever Ready Association, shared the group’s future plans, including the purchase of tents, chairs, and the expansion of their poultry project.
“We have already acquired four tents for hire. Our next step is to purchase 400 plastic chairs and expand our poultry project from 30 birds to 100,” he explained.
The Ever Ready Association, established in 2021 with 16 members, has now grown to 24 members representing 72 households. Based in Telela Trading Centre, Akali Subcounty, the group currently holds a loan portfolio of Shs 4.3 million.
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