May 29, 2013

South-western Uganda dairy farmers have received a UGX21 billion (US$8.1 million) grant from the Agribusiness Initiative Trust (aBi Trust) to boost milk production.

The funds are to be used to support 128 dairy farmers' societies through the Uganda Crane Creameries Co-operative Union (UCCCU) to implement a project dubbed "Cold Chain".

The project will enable the societies to acquire items which include 100 milk coolers, 100 generators, milk testing kits, laboratory kits, 1,500 milk cans, 10 insulated milk tanks and four refrigerated trucks.

The project was launched recently at UCCCU's milk processing factory which is under construction in Ruti in Mbarara municipality.

Henry Mutabazi, aBi Trust officer in-charge of dairy farming, said the grant would help prevent dairy farmers from being exploited by middlemen.

"With this support, dairy farmers will be able to negotiate for higher prices. You will also sell to wherever you want to sell instead of being restricted by middlemen who have been giving you coolers with restrictions," he said.