Masindi farmers form association to promote soybean cultivation
The association was officially launched yesterday at Education Hall in Masindi Town by Patrick Asiimwe, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner [ARDC] for Masindi
MASINDI, June 11, 2025 –– With support from the ENCOT Foundation, a Masindi-based non-profit dedicated to sustainable agricultural development, soybean farmers in Bunyoro Subregion have formed the Uganda Soybean Farmers Association – Masindi Chapter.
The association was officially launched yesterday at Education Hall in Masindi Town by Patrick Asiimwe, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner [ARDC] for Masindi. During the event, an interim committee was elected, with Peter Isingoma Kadodoba appointed as Interim Chairperson.
More than 100 soybean farmers from across Masindi and neighbouring districts of Bunyoro Subregion attended the launch.
Solomon Karuhanga, Chief Executive Officer of the ENCOT Foundation, said the association is intended to unite soybean farmers and enable them to work collectively for mutual benefit.
“As ENCOT Foundation, we are committed to working alongside this new association. Our goal is to give farmers a common voice, improve their access to financing and agricultural inputs, and enable bulk marketing of their produce. Soybean is a valuable crop with consistent market demand, so we urge farmers to join and strengthen their bargaining power,” said Karuhanga.
He noted that the association will bring together a wide range of stakeholders including farmers, seed multipliers, agro-input dealers, extension workers, millers, and buyers.
“We want to eliminate issues like counterfeit agricultural inputs and marketing challenges. This association is a platform to solve these problems together,” he added.
For his part, Pascal Mandhawun, Chairperson of the ENCOT Foundation, emphasised the importance of organisation for farmer success.
“Our aim is to ensure farmers benefit directly from their efforts. This is only possible when they are organised, receive quality extension services, use certified seeds, and have access to reliable markets. We’re starting with soybean, but we plan to expand to other crops as well,” he said.
On his part, Peter Isingoma Kadodoba, the newly elected interim chairperson, pledged to dedicate himself to organising and mobilising farmers, calling on members to support him in achieving the association’s goals.
Meanwhile, ARDC Asiimwe praised ENCOT for initiating the formation of the association, saying it will also help the government to better direct agricultural support.
“My appeal to ENCOT and the association leaders is to support farmers genuinely, ensure transparency, and maintain proper records. Soyabean is a lucrative crop, I encourage all farmers to embrace it,” he said.
Background
In April 2025, the ENCOT Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Masindi Municipal Council to implement its Agricultural Value Chains Acceleration Model [AVCAM]. AVCAM aims to link farmers with markets, enhance productivity through modern farming techniques, and improve post-harvest handling infrastructure.
The initiative focuses on improving crop quality, particularly maize and soyabean, so that farmers can access better prices in regional and international markets. This will be facilitated through ICT-based farmer, processor linkages, provision of post-harvest facilities, and strengthening of seed certification systems.
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