South Bukedi Cooperative Union Patterns With Bugisu Cooperative Union To Grow.

In a bid to grow and become successful after several years of silence, South Bukedi Cooperative Union [SBCU] has patterned with Bugisu Cooperative Union [BCU] one of the most established and respective cooperative society in the country in the revival and expansion of coffee growing. SBCU board chairperson Geoffrey Ekanya said BCU is going to support SBCU and its primary society’s through provision of certified seedlings to farmers, sharing best practices in coffee agronomy, offering technical support and training, and supporting them in building a sustainable and competitive coffee sector in the region. Speaking during SBCU annual general meeting held at Youth center on Monday, Ekanya said the opportunity is timely opportunity for all the primary societies with access to land and interested in coffee farming. Ekanya also Tororo North MP said the union has equally signed contract with MK and seven global limited to promote cashew nuts, macadamia, and cocoa farming as part of the broader strategy to diversify income sources and increase household income in the communities. He said in this venture, the microfinance support center will play a critical role by providing access to affordable financing, training and capacity building for farmers and ensuring proper value chain development to benefit farmers. Ekanya added that the partnership is aligned with our global commercializing agriculture and adding value at grass root level. He also extended their gratitude to the ministry of science, technology and innovation for their ongoing support to the cooperative unions and farmers by equipping the union farmers with modern tools and knowledge for productivity and sustainability. He called upon the government to fulfill their sh 88 billion claim advanced on them over the damages in costs when the union collapsed. He added that they have written to Busitema University asking for 50 acres of land for farmers’ demonstrations pilot gardens. The union general manager Isaac Oketcho called upon all the primary societies to open up bank accounts, save and pay their subscription fees if they are to be supported. The union supports farmers in growth of various enterprises that include cassava, groundnuts, beans, peas, soya beans, sorghum, rice among others. The deputy Resident district commissioner Albert Amula applauded the union for moving in the right directions while cautioning members against in fights by the leaders always being transparent and accountable for the members. Amula reiterated their commitment to fully support the revival of the union while calling upon the members to9 start mobilizing funds to support the establishment of the cooperative bank for the farmers. He also called upon the union leadership to sign a memorandum of understanding with government to utilize some of the equipments and machineries lying idle across the district meant for value chain addition citing an example of equipments lying idle in Kirewa Sub County built under CAIIP II program. By Faustine Odeke