OTUKE, December 12, 2025 — Leaders of Otuke Town Council Farmers` Cooperative and Credit Society Limited has lauded Sasakawa Africa Association Uganda [SAA] for the establishment of a milling and storage facility in the district.
Macdonald Ojok, the Chairperson of the cooperative society, said farmers previously sold their rice and maize cheaply to middlemen, incurred high transport costs because of lack of the storage facility.
He noted that since the facility was set up by SAA, farmers in the district now enjoy better prices, Shs 3,000 per kilogramme of milled rice, access clean maize flour, and no longer pay for transport.
“There is already a market here for the rice, and farmers no longer have to travel to Lira to face challenges of theft and exploitation by middlemen,” he said. Ojok made the remarks during an SAA field visit on Wednesday.
The facility, established with funding from the Government of Japan, is one of several one-stop centers set up by SAA to enhance access to inputs, strengthen market-oriented agriculture, improve storage, and promote value addition and climate-smart farming practices.
According to SAA’s Programme Officer Oliver Nabiryo, the storage facilities cost Shs 1.9 billion to establish in 18 locations across the country.
Ojok, whose cooperative has 1,000 members, added that farmers can now process their grains both for home consumption and for income generation.
Mildred Akidi, Records Assistant at the SACCO, said they mill between 700 and 1,000 kilos of rice per day.
Isaac Okwir, a farmer from Omanabunga village in Alebtong district, said he produced 500 kilos of rice in 2024 but sold it cheaply because it had no added value.
He almost gave up farming, but last year, after joining the cooperative, he produced 800 kilos and earned Shs 1.4 million.
Nabiryo explained that the one-stop center concept is designed to support cooperative members by offering milling, bulking, and storage facilities, along with services that improve production and marketing.
She added that the centers have uplifted communities by providing training on post-harvest handling, helping farmers access reliable markets, and enabling them to bulk their produce to secure premium prices for high-quality grains.
About SAA Uganda
SAA Uganda supports smallholder farmers with practical extension services, market-driven innovations, climate smart agriculture, and capacity-building initiatives that enhance productivity and resilience. It works hand in hand with communities, government agencies, and development partners to drive Uganda’s agricultural transformation.
https://thecooperator.news/mali-saa-transforms-rural-cooperative/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
