Generating more income to members by adding value to maize

Twezimbe Area Co-operative Enterprise (T.A.C.E) Limited started operating as a small organisation in 2008 as Kyeyitabya Producer Organisation (PO).In 2010, members of the group agreed to join efforts with other POs to form an umbrella organisation and registered as farmer organisation with registrar of companies in Kampala on 1st April 2010 under the name, TWEZIMBE MULTI-PO COMPANY with about 1,000 members. The organisation later joined Uganda Co-operative Alliance (U.C.A) and registered with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives as Twezimbe Area Co-operative Enterprise Limited with registration number, 9905/RCS and currently has 3.679 members (2060 male and 1619 female). Organisation office is located in Ntwetwe Town , Kyankwanzi district (Kiboga West constituency). TACE wants to develop, from currently exploiting successfully an agro-input shop and mobile money shop to a cooperative that is also procuring and processing maize in flour by investing in land, warehouse, maize mill etc. thus creating additional value on a large scale. Furthermore they want to provide farmers crop-financing (activity started in 2014). The goals 2020 are clearly set. After preparing a listing of what is really needed for TACE to operate at high standards (quality, quantity, financial, logistics etc.) and analyzing the production chain and what is needed for a high quality in- and output (garbage in… is garbage out…) a new investment plan was made with different options (invest in owned property, renting ,outsourcing maize milling). The conclusion overall was that investing in property, a mill etc. is yet a step not to be taken right now. First of all the quality of input has to be 100 % as well as securing the proper quantities: basis are the members who need training, high quality input seeds and expertise, proper tools such as tarpaulins, cleaners , providing transport etc. TACE can ultimately obtain permanent commitment from members to purchase from the input shop as well as deliver crops of right quantities and qualities to TACE for just in time delivery to TACEs customers on a steady, growing basis. First off all the financial and organizational basis of TACE, training BoD and staff has to improve in which Agriterra can support before investing on a large scale. Agriterra is advised to support the board, management and staff to develop the skills and deliver the proper tools needed for the TACE to develop and implementing a realistic investment plan ( = follow-up) to achieve their goals. The action plan contains clear milestones for all parties involved and address expectations, commitments and the level of involvement of Agriterra and most important of Twezimbe Area Cooperative Enterprise Limited. Goals: - improve capacities of BoD and staff in terms of business planning, marketing, monitoring - improve member commitment - improve internal capitalisation