Farmers welcome sh1.2 trillion climate-smart agriculture rollout in western Uganda

_________________

Residents of Kiruhura and Kyegegwa districts in western Uganda have warmly welcomed the sh1.2 trillion Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (CSATP), expressing optimism that the initiative will bring significant benefits to their communities.

During the Second World Bank Implementation Support Mission held last week, the World Bank task team, together with the technical team from MAAIF, reviewed the project’s progress in integrating climate-smart agricultural approaches aimed at increasing production and productivity, improving market access, and enhancing resilience across all agricultural value chains aligned with the needs and aspirations of local farmers.

As part of a field visit to assess beneficiary readiness, the delegation from the Ministry and the World Bank met with Michael Karegyesa, a host farmer from the Bwijukye Abesigana farmers group under the livestock value chain in Bwijukye, Nyakishara Sub-County, Kiruhura District. He expressed the group’s eagerness to tap into the project’s resources and technical expertise to improve their farming practices and boost their economic well-being.

“We have been facing challenges, for example, our local pasture doesn’t provide enough milk for our cows. Currently, we average five litres per cow, but with better breeds, we expect to achieve between 20–25 litres per cow per day. We are ready to embrace the project and hope for the best,” he stated.

The group chairperson, Yoram Bakhuta, expressed optimism that the project will introduce various advanced techniques that will enhance their competitiveness in the market.

“I hope we will benefit, as the project will provide us with pasture improvement techniques and better milk storage and transportation materials, such as proper milk cans instead of the jerrycans we are currently using,” he said.

The Bwijukye Abesigana Farmers Group consists of 20 members, including 16 men and four women, and has over two years of operational experience. They have already identified their host farmers for the project and are in the process of selecting inputs.

Confident

Michael Akora Birungi, the chairperson of the Kigambo Coffee Farmers Association in Kyegegwa, is confident that the project will provide them with greater access to markets beyond Kyegegwa, as well as valuable knowledge on coffee value addition.

“We warmly welcome this climate mitigation initiative. We are pleased that the project intends to help us connect to larger markets and equip us with knowledge on value addition. We pledge our commitment to effective implementation, as we are already an organised group,” he said.

Although fish farming is not common in Kiruhura, the Bwara Aqua Farm group in Bwara village, Nyakashashara sub-county, is also set to benefit from the project.

“Our main goal is expansion, ensuring that those around us benefit in terms of employment. To this end, we are seeking an expansion grant to increase our production,” said Zam Nakiganda, the group chairperson.

According to Edmund Moran Tukashaba, the technical officer at Bwara Aqua Farm, they currently operate three fish ponds, producing approximately 4,000 kilogrammes.

They are optimistic that their production will increase, adding that this will address existing gaps in quality equipment, preservation methods, fish farming cages, market access, and extension knowledge on fish farming.

Twenty percent contribution

Under the project arrangement, beneficiaries are required to contribute only 20 percent of the total funding, while the government subsidises the remaining 80 percent.

During the visit, Henry Nakelet Opolot, commissioner for agricultural extension and skills management at the ministry, encouraged farmers to comply with the 20 percent co-funding requirement, emphasising that this would ensure their ownership of the project.

“Many may wonder why co-funding is necessary. When you co-fund, you own it; if it’s given for free, it will be treated as free. Let’s take ownership and make sure it changes our lives,” he said.

According to Pushina Kunda Ng’andwe, the World Bank UCSATP task team leader, they are committed to ensuring the project's timely implementation for the benefit of farmers.

“We usually travel together with MAAIF to ensure that we move quickly and effectively. If the coordinators inform us that the farmers are ready, we need to assess how ready they actually are,” she stated.

About UCSATP

The UCSATP is a six-year, $350 million (sh1.2 trillion) World Bank-funded project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.

This transformative initiative aims to integrate climate-smart agricultural practices to boost production and productivity, improve market access, and strengthen resilience across Uganda’s key agricultural sectors.

The project is being implemented in 69 districts, including seven refugee-hosting districts, and is expected to benefit 3.9 million individuals, 40% of whom will be women, with 265,000 beneficiaries from refugee camps and 9.5 million indirect beneficiaries.

Implementing districts include:

Implementing districts include:

▪️North-eastern dry lands (Karamoja region covering Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Napak, and Moroto);

▪️North-eastern savannah grasslands (Lango region covering the districts of Apac, Dokolo, Amolatar, Oyam, Alebtong, Otuke) and (East Acholi region covering Agago, Kitgum, Pader, Nwoya, Omoro, Lamwo);

▪️Kyoga plains (Teso, Bukedi, and northern Busoga region covering Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere, Kalaki, Budaka, Butaleja, Kibuku, Pallisa, Tororo, Iganga, Mayuge, Buyende, Kamuli, Kaliro);

▪️Western highlands, southern highlands, southern drylands, and Lake Albert crescent region covering Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, Sheema, Mitooma,