Members of the
food security cluster from the Rwenzori region had a learning event to share on
the marketing system that is farmer owned to support their household income and
improve on the food security. The event involved trip to Bundibugyo Cocoa
farmers association (BCFA) in Bundibugyo and Busaiga cooperative SACCO (BCA) in
Kichwamba sub county Kabarole.
Learning event
focusing on collective marketing and farmers owned credit system( financial services).
The learning
event was a result of stakeholders meeting early in the year that came up with
two needs that are cutting across all the farmers i.e. saving and Credit. In
other words how can we emphasis the farmers’ cohesion towards SAVING and CREDIT
to improve farmer participation in agriculture.
The learning
objectives were; Share experience of the case studies and how the farmers have
managed to transformed their groups more, How women have been involved in
management, leadership and marketing in the organization, Look at the
applicability of the different model to improve the love for farming and
agriculture in particular.
The study
focused on Busaiga Sacco (BSA) and Bundibungyo Cocoa farmers association (BCA);
Busaiga is a Sacco that begun in 1992 by a group of Waragi sellers. They used
to give each 10 liter jerrican. It’s a farmer owned Sacco and the beneficiary
are the farmers. Members increased as the farmers realized the benefits. They
were able to transform from giving out Waragi to money. In 2003 the group was
registered as cooperative.
There 1020
members in the Sacco. Recruitment in the Sacco depends on the members (a member
can recommend another person to join the Sacco. There is compulsory saving the
current portfolio stands at 145 million at the head office and 55 million at
the branch office. Loan portfolio stand at 111millions. At least 5 million is
maintained on daily basis as liquid cash. Credit given out range from 300000 to
7 million for a group or individual. Credit is given to members and members can
guarantee each other from the different groups.
BCA, is located in Mataisa village in bundibugyo district. It’s operating in 5 sub counties. The idea originated from the university dissertation of Methodius in 2008 as a student of BA Agricultural extension. He was answering the questions “how can cocoa farmers benefit from the production if this product”.the group is led by Mr.Methodias
He identified 15
farmers in the community from who he developed his marketing model that has
become a boast to the farmers. He realized that farmers are being exploited a
lot and its his time the farmers to determine the market price or reach the
market by themselves. The situation was thus; The marketing
association have benefited members in ways like; Improved income of the farmers,
Improved saving culture, There is constant and direct price received by the farmers,
There an organized way of farmes to reap from there labour,More household
farmers have joined the marketing association, Members can easily pay fees for
their children.
Saving and credit in the groups: There is compulsory
saving of all the group members. Each member saves at least 100 shillings on
every kilogram sold. However it can be improved according the group’s members
wishes after a consensus. Support loan advance to farmers to buy cocoa or
matooke. Every member has an account with the association. There are 17 groups
each with 30-50 members. There are fixed saving and current saving.
Achievements of
the marketing association: A plots have already secured to have permanent
offices and a ware house constructed, the farmers voices have easily been
amplified through the different channels, and Associations is moving towards
being registered as a cooperative union. Farmers can now determine the prices
of their produce direct from the buyers.
