Katakwi tractor project targets 70% drop in farmer poverty

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Poverty levels among more than 1,000 members of the Kapujan Fruit Growers Cooperative Society in Katakwi district are projected to decline by 70% following the government’s handover of a tractor valued at sh226 million to the group.

The announcement was made during the cooperative’s seventh Annual General Meeting since its inception in 2012, held at Kapujan subcounty headquarters on March 30, 2026.

The Kapujan Fruit Growers Cooperative was one of three societies in Katakwi district to receive a tractor from the Microfinance Support Centre through the Local Economic Growth Support Programme (LEGS) on March 12, 2025.

According to society officials, of the sh120 million they are required to repay, representing 40% of the total cost, the cooperative has so far returned sh25 million, contributing sh11 million quarterly.

Officials said the tractor, equipped with essential components such as a planter, trailer and discs, has enabled them to cultivate more than 350 acres of land during this rainy season alone, with the capacity to open between eight and 10 acres each day. This has supported the transition to commercial and mechanised agriculture.

John Peter Amanet, the cooperative’s manager, noted that tasks that previously took farmers three days can now be completed in just one hour using the tractor.

This improvement in efficiency has positively impacted farmers’ livelihoods, with some able to construct permanent houses within a year.

“Already, we have testimonies from some farmers who have managed to improve in their commercial agriculture and constructed permanent houses. This tractor is good because it will improve the society’s income rather than depending on annual subscription, shares and membership registration money,” Amanet said.

Amanet added that even before its official handover, the tractor had helped open up large areas of virgin land and enabled farmers to take advantage of the rainy seasons, contributing to the society’s economic development and unity.

“Katakwi, as one of the districts with formerly internally displaced people due to Karamojong raiders, there is vast virgin land that the ox plough or hand hoe can't open; these tractors are very vital for these areas,” he said.

According to him, poverty levels are expected to decline by 70% within the next three years, particularly after the cooperative clears the remaining loan for the tractor.

He urged the government to provide more tractors to cooperative societies or allocate one to each sub-county to ease the shortage of machines.

John Bosco Akubu, a member of the Akisim Ngariam Cooperative Society in Ngariam subcounty, echoed the call for increased tractor distribution, arguing that commercial agriculture cannot thrive when reliant on ox ploughs or hand hoes.

Akubu, who is also the LC5 councillor for Ngariam subcounty, said tractors can cultivate large areas for multiple farmers in a single day, ensuring timely planting before the onset of dry seasons.

Joseph Omoket, chairperson of the Kapujan Fruit Growers Cooperative Society, said the tractor has already enabled the group to achieve bumper harvests and sparked interest in acquiring value addition machines for cassava and sweet potatoes valued at shs900 million.

Bosco Erepun, the commercial officer for Katakwi district, encouraged cooperative societies to think strategically about diversifying income sources while minimising expenditure.



During the handover, Marion Atim, the district councillor for Kapujan subcounty, represented Vice President Jessica Alupo as the chief guest. She encouraged farmers to join cooperatives, noting that Teso has a strong history of using such structures for development.

Atim also commended the Vice President for her role in securing the tractor and urged farmers to maximise its benefits.

According to 2024 census-based reports, while some income indicators show improvement, more than seven million Ugandans, roughly 16 to 27% depending on the metric, still live below the poverty line.