LIRA – The administration of Lango Cooperative Union [LCU] is planning to construct the first maize mill in Ilera Parish, Ayer Sub-county in Kole district to boost production and value addition.
The planned factory is estimated to cost about Shs 1 billion. However, Ayer Sub-county has two milling factories for soybean oil.
Maxwell Patrick Akora, the chairman LCU board of directors who doubles as the Maruzi County Member of Parliament said value addition will help farmers in Ayer Subcounty and Kole district as a whole to earn more income and improve their livelihoods.
Akora said LCU plans to promote the export of maize and maize flour and other crops by buying directly from the farmers.
“We want our people to enjoy good quality maize flour and good price of maize since we shall also be exporting and buying directly from them,” Akora said.
Steven Okao the Kole district commercial officer said if built the maize mill will offer job opportunities to youth as laborers but also will be a source of revenue to the district.
“When you walk around the area in the morning, you will find youths lining up seeking opportunities at the few milling points. This will give revenue to Ayer Sub County for will enhance development,” Okao said
Stephen Okello, a resident of Abel Parish in Kole district said that the milling factory will help them cut transport costs since they have been processing their maize from far places.
Okello, who grows maize and soybeans, however, advised LCU to sensitise farmers about maize milling and the operation of the factory.
“It is a good initiative because it will save us from going to other districts and educate farmers and people about the grades of maize flour they will be milling at the factory once it is constructed,” Okello said.
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