Page 197 - AFAP Success Stories 2020
P. 197
Key Result/Insight/Interesting Fact Impact
On the 9th September 2019, the Fuso truck made its Smallholder farmers have been able to save, as they
maiden maize delivery of 12.5MT to Export Trading Group make a profit of USD0.09 on each kilogram sold. This has
(a grain off-taker and fertilizer company) and to date increased their incomes and will improve their livelihoods
180 MT have been sold from the organized Farmers of in the long run. To date the farmers have saved
Pakanyi United Youth Farmers and Tukolehamo farmers. USD16 200 in total from the 180MT sold and this has been
These farmers have continued to work together and in achieved by 55 smallholder farmers who farmed enough
February 2019, Tukolehamo farmers started a savings to aggregate and store some for better markets.
scheme in which all 40 members have bought shares
and to date their share capital is 1142. This is expected to As a Hub Agrodealer, James Musinguzi, director of M & Jm
grow with the new markets and the transport that M & J has a buy-in from many loyal customers to sell his inputs
are availing for their produce. Their plan is to keep saving but also has a functional and strengthened business and
until the cropping season starts and M & J can offset the motivated smallholder farmers whose work will boost the
cost of fertilizer and other inputs from those savings while agriculture sector.
the balance on the inputs can be paid after selling the
aggregated produce. Currently, the farmers are making
USD1071 from each delivery they make to the market Lessons Learned
since they are selling their own maize. The prices continue Smallholder farmers have a great contribution to make
to increase, and they expect more. By the 7 October 2019, in the agriculture sector especially if they are carefully
they had sold 180MT. guided and if their needs are met as and when they
Credit services in ploughing services and inputs have most require this. They are mobilizing themselves and
greatly increased the area under cultivation from an aggregating the produce to store and benefit from bulk
average of ¼ acre to now an average of 1.5 acres per volumes and a good market.
individual farmer. This has thus increased productivity and
production.
The input and output distribution chain have been We employ 80 people during peak
improved by M & J Multipurpose Ltd, which has provided season, and these are majorly women and
a transport solution, a credit services and a good market
for sourcing fertilizers and selling of the produce. As M & youth. But on a permanent basis, I have 15
J delivers grain to ETG, the company buys fertilizers for its workers. And with this truck coming, five
agro-input shop. more jobs have been created.
James Musinguzi director and proprietor
of M & J Multipurpose Enterprises Ltd
195