Lango Sub-region is witnessing a growing interest in cocoa farming, following the decline of traditional cash crops such as cotton due to unstable market prices and climate change.
Farmers and institutions are increasingly shifting their focus towards cocoa as a viable alternative for long-term income generation.
Since last year, several farmers and institutions have shown keen interest in cocoa farming. Many have been visiting Trinity Mixed Farm in Dokolo, a prominent cocoa model farm owned by Fred Ogwal Oyee, the Awitong of Inomo clan, to learn about the crop.
Among the institutions that have taken an interest in cocoa farming are Lira University, cultural leaders, Kole District Local Government, and numerous local farmers.
One of the prominent advocates for perennial crop farming in the region is Maj Emmy Johnson Opio, a retired soldier. He has been actively training farmers on the benefits and techniques of growing cocoa. Recently, he conducted a training session for farmers in Agweng Sub-County, Lira District, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to venture into cocoa cultivation.
Maj Emmy Johnson Opio, a retired soldier.
Similarly, Maj Emmy Johnson Opio has been at the forefront of promoting cocoa and coffee farming in the sub-counties of Ogur, Agweng, Aromo, and Ayami in Erute North Constituency. He emphasizes that these perennial crops provide long-term financial stability for farmers compared to traditional seasonal crops like maize and sunflower.
Maj Opio has personally invested in producing coffee and cocoa seedlings, which he is distributing for free to farmers in different sub-counties. In the first phase, he has provided enough seedlings to cover 50 acres in Agweng sub County, Aromo, and Ayami, while Ogur Sub County will receive seedlings for 60 acres.
His long-term vision is to expand this initiative to cover the entire Lango region and help farmers transition to more profitable perennial farming.
Odongo Tobby, a resident of Akugi Village in Ogur Sub County, has also embraced cocoa farming. Initially a coffee farmer, he has now decided to shift focus after realizing the higher profitability of cocoa.
“Coffee has helped me financially, but after interacting with Maj Opio, I have learned that cocoa fetches even better prices in the market. With the experience I have in coffee farming, I am confident that cocoa will be a game-changer,” he said.
Odongo further encouraged other farmers to take up cocoa farming, dispelling the misconception that it takes too long to yield returns. “From the training I have received, cocoa can start producing within 18 months. It is a very lucrative crop, and I urge my fellow farmers to consider growing it for a better financial future,” he added.
With the increasing interest in cocoa farming and the active involvement of local leaders and institutions, Lango Sub-region is poised for an agricultural transformation. If this momentum continues, cocoa farming could soon replace traditional cash crops and become a major economic driver in the region.
Last year during farm visit at Trinity Mixed Farm, The Farm’s Director, Mr. Ogwal Oyee, highlighted the need for farmers to receive training on growing and processing cocoa, a specialized crop. He noted that equipping farmers with the necessary skills would reduce poverty levels in the community and increase income through improved crop productivity and quality.
Lira University Vice Chancellor, Professor Jasper Ogwal Okeng and Trinity Mixed Farm Director, Mr. Ogwal Oyee, during the farm visit on 1st August 2024
The Farm Manager, Solomon Adim, discussed the three main varieties of cocoa grown in Africa and emphasized the need to increase cocoa production in Uganda.
He advised planting hybrid cocoa varieties that mature earlier and are resistant to pests and diseases, which would reduce production costs and encourage more farmers to grow the crop.
Cocoa production plays a vital role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.
The global economy relies significantly on cocoa production, which in turn supports the social fabric and environmental well-being of cocoa-producing regions.
According to Solomon Adim, there is a growing trend among farmers in Northern Uganda to adopt cocoa farming as a viable agricultural practice.
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