Supporting Smallholder Farmers in Teso

The Issue

Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with over 12.3 million people living below the poverty line. The Teso sub-region is one of the poorest sub-regions in Uganda, with 55.6% living in multi-dimensional poverty. While the causes of high poverty levels are multifaceted, poor performance of the agriculture sector is a major contributor, considering that 80% of the households depend on agriculture.

Many smallholder farmers continue to live in poverty because their farming activities are often characterised by subsistence production of low-quality produce, limiting their access to lucrative markets in national, regional, and export value chains. As a result, 70% of smallholder farmers are unable to access formal markets to sell their produce. This keeps the household income of smallholder farmers very low despite the existence of many livelihood interventions by state and non-state actors.

A market study carried out in 2023 showed that less than 30% of the farmers had access to training and extension services, less than 20% used quality certified planting materials, and there was limited access to market information. The study further showed that only 19.9% had accessed formal markets.

The Project

Together with its partners, DCA aims to increase the household incomes of smallholder farmers by supporting their production and access to formal markets. This is done by supporting farmers in applying climate-smart and ecologically adaptive farming practices, and meeting specific quality standards.. In addition, formal buyers require regular and high volumes of produce, so the project helps smallholders to organise in producer groups.

The intervention links farmers to a wide range of formal markets such as export companies, local agro-processing companies (e.g., feed millers, brewers, and food processors), other markets such as supermarkets, fast food chains, and hotels, and institutions such as schools and relief programs.

The project uses a “lead farmer model”, where 45 lead farmers will be trained, and equipped to inspire other farmers. The farmers will be provided with cottage equipment, linked to proper inputs and post-harvest handling materials, skills, and training in organic and agroecological practices and market standards. 60% of the smallholder farmers will be women, and 40% will be youth between 18-24 years of age.

The Change

By supporting smallholder farmers, the project aims to increase the production of agricultural produce, generating income for farmers and improving food security. Farmers will be linked to formal markets, making sure that they are more strongly integrated in local market systems. At the same time, the project focuses on climate-smart and ecologically adaptive farming practices, meaning that the practices are tailored to the local context, and will be fit for the climate conditions in the future.

The project is implemented in Kapelebyong, Katakwi, and Amuria Districts, in the Teso sub-region, generating incomes in one of the poorest areas of Uganda.

The Partner

DCA works with African Women Agri-Business Network Uganda (AWAN) to implement the project. AWAN is a membership-based Women Enterprise Support Organisation with over 300 member women-owned micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The organisation focuses on delivering business development services through a gender lens, empowering women-led MSMSEs to succeed and drive meaningful impact.