By Our Reporter | Teso Advanced News.
KUMI DISTRICT: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has pledged its commitment to supporting Kumi Area Cooperative Enterprise (KACE), a cooperative that supports over 1,000 cassava farmers in value addition in Kumi and Ngora districts.
About 1,200 cassava farmers under KACE with 10 Rural Producer Organizations (RPOs) have commended KOICA for the support rendered to them through cassava growing and value addition, which they said has helped them to get out of poverty.
The farmers expressed their gratitude to KOICA during the end-year event held in Kumi Boma grounds, where a number of district leaders were in attendance.
Michael Okiror Oonyu, the chairperson of KACE, said the cooperative is growing, attributing this to the principles of financial accountability and transparency from their partners, IDI, and the leadership of the cooperative.
Oonyu said KACE has registered with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and their next plan is to certify their products, such as cassava flour and chips, and acquire a tractor for their farmers.
He added that the factory processes 20 tons of cassava every month, and the market is stable, with chips being sold in Jinja and cassava flour being sold in Kampala and local outlets.
John Stephen Kasaada, the Chief Administrative Officer of Kumi, directed all agricultural extension workers to support the farmers to help them get out of poverty.
Nelson Elungat, the LCV chairperson of Kumi district, praised IDI and KOICA for their support in agriculture, education, and health, saying, “This is the type of partner we need.”
Ndawula Sekamanya, the District Police Commander, thanked the Korean government for uplifting the economic standards of the rural community, saying, “As police, we have less work if the community is empowered economically.”
John Bosco Mubito, the Resident district commissioner (RDC) of Kumi, commended IDI for supporting rural farmers, saying, “This is the shortest route to wealth creation, which the government emphasizes.”
Manager Keyone Jung said KOICA is committed to empowering and supporting farmers to get out of poverty, adding that this is the second phase of support from KOICA to KACE.
David Okurut from Aligoi farmers Cooperative and Alfred David Omedel from Mukura Multipurpose Cooperative among others said the growing of cassava has improved their standards of living, enabling them to educate their children.
They appealed to the government to support them with access to markets and farm equipment.
