Profile

Bukonzo organic farmers cooperative Union started in 2004 as Bukozo Organics and focusing on certification of organic products. The Organization was started by organizations promoting organics Agriculture and felt that there could not be a difference in the market with the conventional products. These NGOs were Kiima Foods, Bukonzo East training Team (BETT), Green Home, Mutiba Foundation, Karughe Farmers, Kyempara and Ikongo Farmers, later Burangwa Eyisuka Ningabu was also brought on board. The consortium was led by COC (Corporation Organic Committee) with a representation from each Organization and comprised of 5 members – 4 male 1 female.

In March 2007, baseline survey was conducted to understand the members’ perspective on the operations of the consortium. The survey was conducted by PIMSAP which is today called CABCS (Community Agribusiness Capacity Services).

The survey revealed that members suggested that Bukonzo Organics becomes a Union of primary cooperative promoting Organic agriculture for the following reasons:-

1. To create a bargaining power for the Organic Arabica coffee.
2. To increase on the volume of the organic coffee they are small holder farmers


Due to the above suggestions, a process of registration started and in 2009 the cooperative Union was certified to operate as Bukonzo Organic Farmers Cooperative Union ltd. The name was recommended during the baseline Survey.

The Union presently works in 12 Sub- Counties with seven primary cooperatives located in Bukonzo County with a total membership of 1178. The Union has 590 Farmers in the Organic certification process who have under gone through the second external re- Inspection by Ugocert and still waiting for the results of the re- Inspection done in March 2010 by Ugocert.

The Union has an operational office with 2 computers, 2 mortocycles, and 1 digital camera, Printer, Projector with solar system to be used when ever there is power load shade and 2 full time staff and 4 part-time.

The primary cooperative that formulate a Union are Kyondo Organic Farmers Cooperative, Burangwa Eyisuka Ningabu, Nyabirongo Growers cooperative Society, Nyamugasana Valley, Thukolethuthi Kabingo, Kyempara Farmers and marketing society, Ikongo Farmers and marketing society.

UNION STRUCTURE

The highest Governing body is the members of the primary cooperatives who elect the Board members which is assisted by secretariat. On the structure there is Cooperation Organic committee which foresees the issues of the organic standards and it is also assisted by the ICS manager and the internal Inspectors.

PARTNERS.

Bukonzo Organic Farmers cooperative Union is a partner to NOGAMU – National Organic Agricultural movement of Uganda, CABCS – Community Agribusiness Capacity Services, SATNET- Sustainable Agricultural Trainers Network, NUCAFE, KRC- Kabarole Research and Resource Centre.


OUR MISSION

Improve farmers’ incomes through strengthening primary cooperative society’s to access profitable markets.

VISSION
Arural Farming community with improved livelihoods that is environmentally and economically conscious by 2015

Objectives
1. To link primary cooperative produce to profitable markets
2. To support primary cooperatives establish viable structures
3. To strengthen the institutional development of the cooperative union.
4. To help farmers access organic certification
Activities
1. Train farmers and cooperative quality controllers in post harvest handling techniques
2. Training farmers in good agronomic Practices
3. To have members farms certified organically
4. Establish systems to enhance cooperative bulking.
5. Identity and link market opportunities to cooperatives
6. Train members in financial sustainability strategies
7. Train members in governance and management of cooperatives
8. Strengthen ability of cooperatives to lobby and advocate for services.
9. Facilitating reviews of cooperative documents

DONORS
Bukonzo Organics farmers coop union has so far been supported by The French Embassy- This one supported office establishment and it was one time funding.

The other Donor has been Hivos that supported us from 2007- 2010.

CHALLENGES
1. The Union does not have funds to buy members coffee, this forces them to sale the coffee to other buyers around. For example the estimates for the 2011 season are 64290 tones but we are unable to buy any due to financial limitations.
2. The members coffee quality still requires some improvement more especially during post harvest handling and this requires farmers to use proper drying materials, storage and stamping the old coffee trees. All this requires financial resources. These comments were realized by the prospective buyer from the US.
3. Bukonzo Organics does not have funds to run her activities from Jan. 2011.
4. The certification process is long and requires a lot of resources.