About
We are CROP, Cooperative Regional Organic Producers, formerly KAFAMI, Kaato Farmers’ Marketing Initiative, a farmers’ cooperative in eastern Uganda. Our members are farmers pulled from various community-based groups around Kaato sub-county. Our mission is primarily to help our members overcome obstacles in selling & making profits on the crops which they grow, & we do this by giving our members better access to markets, & providing access to information about products & prices.
We also sell crops as a group, & channel our profits into community projects such as building bio-gas stove & organizing training events in sustainable farming techniques.
More details about our activities can be found on the Activities page. You can also contact us by email, or by post, here.
KAFAMI was formed in summer 2005, under the wing of IRDI (Integrated Rural Development Initiative) Uganda, from a group of 39 farmers pulled from various community-based groups around Kaato Sub-County. It was set up to overcome the obstacles faced by farmers which prevented them from getting a fair price for their crops – namely, that of poor access to markets and information about products and prices. It was also hoped that forming such a group would provide strength in numbers, and give the local farmers who are members of CROP/KAFAMI a sense of community, by holding group training sessions and events.
The group currently focuses on a number of areas:
Selling the coffee, honey and other produce of CROP/KAFAMI members to broader markets, especially international ones. This ranges from the regional capital, Mbale, to the National capital, Kampala, and to overseas markets.
Training farmers in improved farming techniques, including organic and Fairtrade practices.
Installing bio-gas facilities in community members homes.
Supporting orphans.
Giving support to people living with HIV/AIDS & raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in the community.
Organizing a youth football team.
Training elderly people in Functional Adult Literacy (FAL).
…& more, details of which can be found on the Activities page.
CROP/KAFAMI consists of 3 members pulled from each farmer’s group (13 in total).
CROP/KAFAMI’s executive committee
Chairman: Kutosi Stephen (Nambewo village)
Vice-chairman: Wamono Cosmas (Bunamubi A.)
Secretary: Nanongo Moses (Bunamuwenje Central)
Treasurer: Jenipher Mwenyi (Mufufu)
Committee members: Hellen Watenyeli (Bushaburiri), Margrate Bwayo (Bunamuwenje East), Majeme Joseph (Buwafula)
Contact us here.