Call to govt to give saccos more support in empowering entrepreneurs

Zeno Sapula, Chairperson of Wino Saccos made the call while speaking to journalists at Madaba District Council in Ruvuma Region.

He said his credit society currently has 4,309 members, of whom 2,216 are farming men and 1605 farming women.
“It was high time the government saw the importance of supporting more savings and credit cooperative societies found in the rural areas,” he said.

Farmers face many challenges, including agricultural inputs, he said, adding that members of Wino Saccos have been enjoying government assistance by getting reliable markets for their harvests, including maize.
Reliable market has of late been the major challenge facing many farmers in the country.

He also mentioned some challenges that have been facing their group to include poor infrastructure and shortage of business capital.

He explained that until February 19 this year his Saccos created 103 small groups, whereby women groups are 98 and 91 institutions.

The saccos’ total savings is 46,070,505/- and 124,692,007 shares.

Sapula mentioned the success of Wino Saccos, in education and health services whereby in 2011, it provided books for all primary and secondary schools valued 6m/-.

In 2012 the Saccos provided electricity equipment, construction materials and blankets to all clinics in the ward worth 5m/-.

The saccos has achieved much due to the good cooperation from diverse stakeholders, including a nongovernmental organisation for development in the ward called Wida.