ENCOT Foundation, Masindi Municipality ink MoU to shield farmers from middlemen
“This partnership has come at the right time. Agriculture is the backbone of our country, and supporting our farmers is vital,” he stated.
Masindi: In a move aimed at empowering local farmers and protecting them from exploitation by middlemen, ENCOT Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Masindi Municipal Council.
The agreement was formalized on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Masindi Municipal Library.
The ten-year partnership targets over 3,000 farmers within Masindi Municipality and seeks to improve their profit margins by enhancing access to fair markets and financial services.
Solomon Karuhanga, Executive Director of ENCOT Foundation, revealed that the project will initially focus on maize and soya bean farmers, with plans to later include producers of cocoa, coffee, and other crops.
“We want to organize farmers into groups to strengthen their bargaining power. Many have been short-changed by middlemen, leaving them with little return on their investments,” Karungi said.
He added that the foundation plans to lobby insurance companies to support farmers in the event of disasters. Additionally, they aim to establish storage warehouses where farmers can keep their produce during times of low market prices. The storage system will provide receipts that can be used as collateral to access loans from banks.
Pascal Madhawun, Chairperson of the ENCOT Foundation Board, emphasized the power of unity among farmers. “When farmers speak with one voice, they can secure better prices for their produce,” he said, noting that the initiative will also expand to other districts to complement existing government programs.
Patrick Asiimwe, Deputy Municipal Town Clerk, welcomed the collaboration, saying the project will support government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, both of which aim to boost household incomes.
“This partnership has come at the right time. Agriculture is the backbone of our country, and supporting our farmers is vital,” he stated.
Proscovia Nambajju, the Municipal Production Officer, highlighted the urgent need for such a program. “Our farmers invest heavily in agriculture but are often exploited by middlemen who buy their produce cheaply and reap the larger share of the profits,” she said.
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