ZOMBO, September 18, 2025 – Members of the Okoro Coffee Growers Cooperative Union [OCGCU] in Zombo district have approved a budget of Shs 2,563,200,000 for operations in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The majority of the funds will be used to purchase coffee from farmers and provide coffee seedlings, as part of efforts to boost production and support member households.
The budget, approved with amendments, was passed during the Annual General Meeting [AGM] held on Tuesday at Ayuda Factory in Abanga Sub-county, Zombo district. The meeting was attended by representatives from 37 primary societies affiliated with the Union.
“This budget reflects our renewed commitment to support our members through timely purchase of coffee and provision of quality seedlings,” said Bernard Olar, Chairperson of OCGCU. “We faced financial hurdles last year that affected our operations, but we are determined to bounce back stronger.”
Olar also apologised to members for the delay in holding the AGM, citing financial constraints that made it difficult to convene earlier.
The Union’s leadership explained that the Shs 2.56 billion budget will be funded through income from nursery bed seedling sales, vehicle operations, property rentals, donations, and other internal revenue streams.
Representing the Zombo District Commercial Office, Susan Canwego encouraged farmers to take ownership of the Union by fulfilling their financial obligations.
“If we want a strong and self-reliant cooperative, each member must play their part,” she said. “That means paying registration fees, annual subscriptions, and saving regularly within your primary societies.”
To boost the Union’s finances, farmers also agreed to contribute five kilogrammes of coffee each. This collective contribution is aimed at creating a stable financial foundation for the Union’s activities.
The Union did not operate in the previous financial year due to inadequate funding, and farmers were urged to become more active in planting new coffee seedlings and participating in cooperative programmes.
“We want to see our Union grow and create market opportunities for our coffee,” said James Ocaya, a farmer from Paidha district. “This new budget gives us hope, but we must also do our part in the gardens.”
OCGCU serves the West Nile region, covering the districts of Arua, Nebbi, Paidha, Pakwach, and Zombo. It has more than 8,000 members and collectively they produce between 10,000 and 15,000 metric tonnes of coffee annually.
https://thecooperator.news/finance-minister-tasked-on-zombo-nursery-tea-operators-compensation/
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