Apac farmer partner with SAA to market rural farmer's yield

A Smallholder farmer who is also a Private Service Provider (PSP) offers agribusiness services to farmers in his community. Alphonse Alere, 49, has partnered with Sasakawa African Association (SSA) to help rural farmers in the district to improve and market their yields.

"My income has improved and I have been able to construct a permanent house, purchased 30 acres of land, and bought a truck to enable me to transport my produce," he said.

Alere who mainly deals in soybeans praises SAA for offering technical assistance to the farmers in the area.

To reduce drudgery during the period of the pandemic, SAA provided post-harvest handling equipment to smallholder farmers and training as well as creating employment opportunities for youth in rural communities.

Alere says other farmers received technical assistance in the production process, marketing and fertilizer application techniques, and planting seasons.

"We have learned about fertiliser application techniques, identifying and planting seeds, weeding, and postharvest handling methods - from drying on tarpaulins to storage systems," He said.

Oliver Nabiryo, the Program Officer Crop Productivity Enhancement- Sasakawa Global 2000 says the organisation aims to improve agro-processing techniques and produce more marketable, value-added food products by facilitating farmers in rural areas.

"Sasakawa Africa Association works closely with government partners at different levels, identifying women's groups and cooperatives operating in rural areas, "she said.

Nabiryo says that SAA believes women's agro-processing groups are better ways of empowering low-income rural women and changing misconceptions about gender in society.

She said that through establishing platforms for efficient agri-business enterprises and collaboration between different groups, these groups would make a positive impact on the incomes and livelihoods of women and their families.

"Such collaborative efforts between different development partners, including governments, are required to give appropriate - attention to women's groups and support them with technical and financial assistance," Nabiryo said.