Agcom project transforms people’s economic livelihoods

Several cooperatives that have benefited from Agriculture Commercialisation (Agcom) project phase one continue to thrive with individual members chalking successes and their economic wellbeing enhanced, it has emerged.

Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale on Saturday visited two cooperatives, namely Titukulane Bvumbwe Women Piggery Cooperative which received K87.4 million and Mtengowamwayi Cooperative which received K74.5 million from Agcom.

In an interview, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress the two cooperatives have made.

He said if more women and young people start taking part in such projects, poverty levels in the country could reduce.

Said Kawale: “We are looking forward to having more young people and more women involved in Agcom projects.

“The moment we have more people involved in these projects, we will see a reduction in poverty and we will see a reduction in dependency on handouts.”

He urged individuals to form cooperatives to qualify for the grants to venture into commercial farming.

At the time of the visit, the piggery cooperative, with a membership of 40, had 21 pregnant pigs in a well-constructed kraal reviving the members’ hope to make more profits this year through its off-taker Carnivore Meat Malt.

The group’s secretary Catherine Kaliya said the members expect to have more than 200 piglets this year.

On the other hand, Mtengowamwayi Cooperative which has 20, has three greenhouses for growing tomatoes through drip irrigation supported by a solar pump.

Agcom national project coordinator Ted Nakhumwa said the project has transformed people’s lives since its inception in 2019.