PADER, September 19, 2024 — Aringo Mac Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited in Puranga Town Council in Pader district has been officially launched to provide innovative financial solutions, and sustainable agricultural practices.
The cooperative started in 2017 as a Village Savings and Loans Association [VSLA] mainly composed of farmers’ groups. Its membership has now grown from 12 in 2017 to 120 in 2024, with members being drawn from Puranga Town Council, Puranga Subcounty, and Tenam Subcounty.
The cooperative issues loans to fully subscribed members at a 5 percent interest rate while non-members receive the credit at a 10 percent interest rate.
Charles Okane, Chairperson of Aringo Mac Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited explained that growth in savings and membership called for the formation of the cooperative.
He said the existence of the cooperative has boosted the living standards of the members since they have established projects that bring in income daily.
“The cooperative has done a lot to its members. They have started profitable projects and personally, I have a piggery project with 35 pigs, and other members have projects like poultry, others have invested in education,” he said.
He said their cooperative is ready to supply domestic animals and bird to the far to the farmers. “If any of you out there wants to buy pigs, chicken goats, please contact us because we have them,” Okane said.
Moses Ocan who is both a Councilor of Puranga Town Council and member of the cooperative concurred with the chairperson’s statement that the living standard of members of the cooperative have improved.
He said: “This cooperative has changed the lives of people a lot. They are sending their children to school, their businesses are being boosted every day, people are constructing permanent houses, they are accessing the medical care at any time. Our vision is that the cooperative continues growing.”
Proscovia Lanyero Linsie also a member said that she has been investing the money into the piggery and other projects which has enabled her to meet needs for her children such as paying their school fees.
“I have been using the money borrowed from the cooperative to pay school fees for my children, and my tuition to. I have injected part of the money into the piggery, and goat rearing project,” Lanyero said.
Francis Depola Ojok, the Puranga Town Council Mayor expressed excitement as the cooperative was being launched, saying it will develop the area.
Ojok however tasked the cooperative to remain focused on its mission and vision in order for it to achieve the intended development.
“This is the kind of cooperative that we want in our area. In the past we had cooperatives did not yield fruits because he foundation upon which they were formed was weak. So I urge you to remain focused for successful development,” he said.
Ojok also called upon the cooperative members to distance themselves from bad politics, saying this could ruin its progress. “Bad politics that cause less or no development in the Cooperative should be avoided,” said Ojok.
On his part, Pader District Commercial Officer Michael Ojok praised the cooperative for the achievements so far made, saying it is helping to fight poverty among its members. “This is one of the cooperatives that is trying to eradicate poverty among the members, and we should support it,” Ojok said.
In the same vein, Milton Odongo, Pader District Resident Commissioner said forming a cooperative helps people achieve economic development.
“This is in line with the central government Policy because government wants to eradicate poverty. We should form more cooperatives like this one which is engaging women in development other than gossiping,” Odongo said.
https://thecooperator.news/pader-elders-uneasy-as-youth-choose-saccos-over-producer-cooperatives/
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