Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, Judith Alyek, has urged cooperative groups in the Lango sub region to leverage government programs and initiatives for sustainable agriculture.
Alyek made this statement during the silver jubilee celebration of the Alito Joint Farmers Multiple Purpose Cooperative Society Limited and the opening of the 2024 Season A farming year in Awili village, Lwala parish of Okwerodot sub-county.
The event was held under the theme “Taking Farming as a Business for Improved Livelihood and Sustainable Development.” During her speech, Alyek highlighted the difficulties of conducting commercial agriculture due to limited government support, particularly the provision of just one tractor per district. “This is insufficient to serve a cooperative society comprising many farmers,” she said.
Alyek called on the government to increase support by providing more tractors and resources to cooperatives, enabling farmers to efficiently manage their fields, from planting to harvesting. She also emphasized the need for enhanced support in terms of value addition and farmer training.
Alito Joint Multipurpose Cooperative, which began 25 years ago, has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable farming in the Lango subregion. Despite its efforts, the union faces challenges such as low funding and inadequate equipment.
Isaac Okello, the Programs Coordinator of the cooperative, underscored the union’s focus on imparting knowledge to farmers to produce quality products and access better markets. He noted that they source seeds for their farmers and work to boost productivity.
Tom Ogwal Ekuka, a board member of the cooperative, attributed the union’s success over the past 25 years to the team spirit and cooperation among the farmers. He also highlighted the importance of prompt payments to farmers after bulking, which has kept the cooperative thriving.
Patrick Obong, a farmer from Otwal sub-county in Oyam district, praised the cooperative for supplying quality seeds. “The cooperative has helped us produce high-quality products and find ready markets,” he said. Obong added that his success as a farmer has enabled him to purchase a motorcycle, build a home, and afford his children’s education.
With a primary goal of improving the living standards of farming communities through modern farming and collective marketing, the union currently operates in 14 districts across Lango, serving over 16,000 farmers.
