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| Members in the matooke garden. PHOTO BY ALLAN CHEKWECH |
In mid-2006, 40 farmers in Kongowo parish, Kaserem Sub-county, Kapchorwa District decided to work together under an association in a bid to boost their income. Now, eight years later, Kongowo Farmers’ Association is making returns on the initial investment.
Stephen Labu, the association’s chairperson,
recounts that when they came together, they did not have jointly owned
land. So, a one member offered about five acres to the group.
“I had been trading in coffee on a small scale. So, we needed to grow our own when we agreed to come together,” he says.
When they started growing Arabica coffee, making a nursery bed was the first attempt. The group talked to a friend in Bulambuli District who gave them 4,000 seedlings.
When they started growing Arabica coffee, making a nursery bed was the first attempt. The group talked to a friend in Bulambuli District who gave them 4,000 seedlings.
The beginning
Initially, though, a few people were committed to watering and taking care of the nursery bed. But, eventually, within that year, the seedlings were ready for transplanting. Then, in early 2007, the farmers started tilling the land. Since they were many, the work was made easier.
Initially, though, a few people were committed to watering and taking care of the nursery bed. But, eventually, within that year, the seedlings were ready for transplanting. Then, in early 2007, the farmers started tilling the land. Since they were many, the work was made easier.
“Of course, some members were lazy but we kept on
encouraging them. We would dig up the holes and transfer the seedlings
together,” recalls Robert Bulasiyo Rapkwalai, the group’s vice
chairperson.
They would work together and irrigate the land
when there were no rains, they would also weed and care for the crops
together. When it came to buying the pestsides, each member would
contribute an amount.
Rapkwalai says when they were setting up the
coffee plantation, they copied the Naads programme style used in
neighbouring villages.
So, the spacing and application of fertilisers was done from an informed point of view.
So, the spacing and application of fertilisers was done from an informed point of view.
The maintenance routine went on for three years before their first harvest in the 2010 season.
Labu says when it came to picking the coffee beans, most members went to the farm; they were able to collect 3,500 kilogrammes in phases by end of the season.
Labu says when it came to picking the coffee beans, most members went to the farm; they were able to collect 3,500 kilogrammes in phases by end of the season.
Sharing proceeds
Since the coffee beans need to be ground, all members participate in this in order to reduce costs. They also do the washing and drying together.
“At that time, coffee prices had fallen to Shs3,200 a kilo. So we earned Shs11.2m. The money was not much, each one got something and rest of the money was used to buy fertilisers and in maintaining the farm,” Rapkwalai says.
Since the coffee beans need to be ground, all members participate in this in order to reduce costs. They also do the washing and drying together.
“At that time, coffee prices had fallen to Shs3,200 a kilo. So we earned Shs11.2m. The money was not much, each one got something and rest of the money was used to buy fertilisers and in maintaining the farm,” Rapkwalai says.
Labu points out that after the first season, the
crop does not require a lot of maintenance. Therefore, most of the work
was trimming and spraying.
In the 2011 season, the group harvested 6,000 kilogrammes and at that time, the prices had increased to Shs4,200 a kilogramme. They garnered Shs25.2m in total.
In the 2011 season, the group harvested 6,000 kilogrammes and at that time, the prices had increased to Shs4,200 a kilogramme. They garnered Shs25.2m in total.
Like in the first season, they shared the money;
but the owner of the land is always given a bigger percentage, Labu
says, although he did not disclose the amount. Each of them earns
between Shs300,000 to Shs500,000 per season.
The next season was in 2012 which also saw an
improvement in yields. The farmers got 8,000 kilogrammes, which was sold
at Shs7,000 per kilogramme. They earned Shs56m which was shared as
before.
Adding matooke
“We hold meetings very often. Usually, when the produce is sold, we sit together, calculate the income and decide on how much to share and how much to keep on the association’s accounts,” Rapkwalai adds.
“We hold meetings very often. Usually, when the produce is sold, we sit together, calculate the income and decide on how much to share and how much to keep on the association’s accounts,” Rapkwalai adds.
In the 2013 season, they expected 10,000
kilogrammes but due to change in weather conditions, they got 6,500
kilogrammes. The prices had fallen to Shs3,100 a kilo. The group earned
Shs20m.
To cushion the drop in coffee earning, Kongowo
farmers’ association had its first earnings from matooke, which they had
diversified to in 2011. One of the members offered about three acres of
land for the establishment of a matooke plantation
They planted 480 suckers and last year, they harvested about 500
bunches of matooke which they sold in Mbale and Sironko at Shs15,000
per bunch. They got Shs7.5m.
The group has started ploughing for an extra acre
for matooke. Though they have had challenges along the way, the group is
expanding their business. Last year, they were in position to buy 24
acres of land in Bulambuli District at Shs20m
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