Agro-Supermarket Hubs Raise Hope Among Farmers in Acholi

The construction of agro-supermarket hubs in Nwoya and Pader districts has brought renewed hope among local farmers. These facilities, valued at approximately Shillings 900 million, were established by the government in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) with funding from the European Union through the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU). 

Situated in Acut Omer Village in Acholibur Sub County, as well as Lungulu in Pader and Nwoya districts, these hubs were officially launched on Wednesday by State Minister for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga. Each of these hubs boasts the capacity to store and handle more than 75 metric tons of cereals and perishable goods. 

Additionally, they come equipped with modern agricultural tools, including aflatoxin testing kits, weighing machines, pallets, sampling metallic spheres, trolleys, grain blowers, maize handheld fellers, moisture testers, tarpaulins, storage bags, and motorized sprayers, among other resources. 

Dr. Yona Baguma, the Director General of NARO, emphasized that these facilities are part of an initiative aimed at combatting hunger and poverty in the northern region. Beyond food storage, they serve as comprehensive centers for farmer training on quality post-harvest management and agricultural best practices. 

They also facilitate demonstrations of innovative production and processing techniques, and grain aggregation, and act as bulking centers for local farmers. Dr. Baguma further explained that these hubs will play a pivotal role in creating markets, establishing marketing protocols, procuring quality inputs in bulk, and promoting the sale of bulked products within commodity clusters. 

They will also assist in logistics for product transportation, connecting with Gulu logistic hubs to support nationwide and regional agro-produce marketing. 

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Minister Bwino highlighted the presence of agricultural extension workers at these facilities who will collaborate closely with the commercial departments of each district. Their role is to improve the quality of agricultural products and negotiate better prices for both farmers and buyers. 

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Dr. Jillian Adyeri Omalla, a farmer and Founder of Delight Uganda Limited, expressed optimism among farmers, citing the previous challenges of poor post-harvest management due to the lack of storage facilities and limited market access. 

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Vincent Longole, a farmer from Latek Odong Village in Nwoya district, praised the facility for protecting them from unscrupulous middlemen who would purchase their produce at low prices due to alleged poor storage and market access. 

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Emmanuel Orach, the Nwoya district chairperson, emphasized the potential for these facilities to enhance food security through increased production. He also urged the government to focus on improving access to the hubs and providing electricity connections.