AGRICULTURE

Agriculture operations

Our agriculture operations are mainly based around the Lango sub-region in Northern Uganda, and extend to West Nile, Bunyoro, and parts of Eastern Uganda, and cover over 30 districts. The emphasis is on the production of oilseed crops, mainly sunflower and soya as well as maize.

A partnership with over 90,000 rural smallholder farmers was developed, facilitating them to grow oilseed crops through the provision of affordable planting seeds, farm inputs, and technical know-how, resulting in a significant increase in oilseed production in Uganda. Lira, the processing home for our agricultural produce has a complex comprising of modern grain storage facilities, oilseed crushing, and maize flour milling.

Our involvement in the agricultural sector has resulted in:

• A “win-win” partnership has been achieved by working hand-in-hand with over 90,000 smallholder farmers in an out-grower program.
• The farmers have been organized into Farmer Groups, supported by over 250 lead farmers and production officers.
• Provision of a livelihood to the communities through formal employment.
• Provision of a steady and reliable market for the farmers’ produce.
• A 400% increase in sunflower and soya bean production in the country. Currently, over 60,000MT of grain is purchased from farmers annually.
• Milling of maize flour.
• Silo storage systems to maintain the quality of the grain.
• Imparting technical farming knowledge to the farmers through agricultural extension services and demonstration plots.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in sectors of education and health.
• Solvent Extraction Plant (SEP) to further extract residue oils in sunflower and soya meal.
• Tax remittance to the local and central Government
• Development of socio-economic infrastructure in the region such as feeder roads.