By KT Reporter
Farmers in Ongino Sub County, Tisai Island, have abandoned the government-constructed milk processing plant due to high maintenance costs and a lack of qualified chemists to manage operations. The initiative, funded by the Islamic Development Bank with US$3.5 million and supported by the Smart Climate Initiative, was designed to boost incomes for farmers in Kumi, Katakwi, Nakapiripirit, and Bukedea districts by helping preserve and process milk.
However, the project has largely failed to benefit the community. Robert Ilulet, a local farmer, said many producers have returned to traditional methods due to challenges at the facility. “We were optimistic this would change the narrative of the milk we produce. However, imagine taking your milk there, only to find it returned the next day because they lack a trained chemist, resulting in spoilage,” he lamented.
Ilulet added that he lost over 150,000 shillings in one month and now resorts to boiling milk or selling it quickly to nearby centers. Enos Okwerede, another farmer, criticized the high operational costs, noting the plant requires over 100 liters of fuel daily, while low market prices fail to offset losses. “We sell milk at 1,000 shillings per liter locally, but instead of increasing prices, the processing plant has reduced them,” he said.
Ben Chilakol, LC III chairperson of Tisai Sub County, acknowledged the project’s potential but said it remains underutilized. “The plant was established with a generator, but managing it is too costly. Without proper transportation and cooling equipment, farmers prefer selling milk to outside buyers,” he explained. Chilakol emphasized the need for a van with a cooling machine to deliver processed milk to towns like Soroti, Bukedea, and Mbale.
Stephen Opakasi, Senior Assistant Secretary of Tisai Sub County, added that 164 registered farmers face challenges, including expensive power management and a lack of startup capital to buy raw milk. “Tisai Island has over 10,400 animals producing 4,000 liters daily, but middlemen exploit the situation, buying milk at 600 shillings per liter,” he said.
The facility operates under the Tisai Dairy Farmers Association, which requires a subscription fee of 20,000 shillings and a share purchase of 100,000 shillings. Yet, it has remained largely idle, leaving farmers awaiting solutions. The abandonment of the milk plant highlights the importance of proper planning, sufficient resources, and ongoing support for agricultural projects to achieve their intended impact on local communities.
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