New skills help Ugandan farmers to thrive

Farm Africa’s Upland Rice and Beans project in Uganda started operation in July 2011. The project aims to address two key problems being experienced by farmers:

• A real shortage of basic tools which means farmers have to spend unnecessarily long periods of time simply preparing their land for cultivation.
• A lack of collective organisation among farmers leading to ineffective marketing of their produce. Before the project started, many farmers told Farm Africa that they were seeking training on producing higher yields from their land. But farmers also emphasised they wanted training on marketing their produce. This means helping farmers to organise themselves into groups. In groups they are better able both to access market traders and to market their produce more effectively.

Since the project’s inception, farmers groups have been formed in the three main project districts: Luwero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke. Progress so far has been impressive.

Community Based Trainers
So far, 72 Community Based Trainers (CBTs) have been elected by farmers. CBTs are elected because they are highly respected and are seen as leaders by their communities. Of the 72 CBTs elected so far, 40 have been trained on: agronomy and new agricultural methods; integrated soil fertility management (ISFM); pest management; group work and group dynamics. Community Based Trainers are a vital component in the process of extending key new skills and learnings out into their wider communities.

Farmers Groups

CBTs extend this knowledge out to farmers through the farmers groups. So far, 52 farmers groups have been established. These groups consist of a total of 1378 farmers, with 606 males and 772 females.

From the 1378 farmers involved in the project, at least 700 have been trained so far in basic practices such as: planting in rows, spacing, weeding, knowing when to apply fertiliser. Farmers are also learning the importance of using fallow land and how to choose plots which have good drainage and irrigation potential. Training is conducted by CBTs who in turn have been trained by Farm Africa’s project staff.

Demonstration Plots for next planting season (March-June 2012)

Demonstration plots are where farmers can experiment and observe how new seed varieties and planting techniques perform. They are normally set alongside plots where traditional seeds and techniques are used, enabling farmers to see instantly whether the new seeds and techniques lead to healthier, faster-maturing crops and more abundant harvests.

So far, 50 plots have been set up through the project area and the process of identifying other land for more plots is ongoing.

Village Savings and Loans Associations

These Associations (VSLAs) allow farmers to manage their money in a simple but effective way. Savings and loans provide them with sufficient credit to set up sustainable businesses which they can use to earn much needed income for food, school and medical expenses. So far 432 farmers have been introduced to the VSLA scheme, of which 237 are female and 195 male.

Yields from Demonstration Plots

From the 50 plots set up so far, 3960 kg of beans, 4675 kg of peanuts (also known as groundnuts) and 105 kg rice have been harvested. Only one demonstration plot has trialled rice cultivation due to the season being unfavourable for rice-growing.

Case-study:  Muddu Awulira Farmers Group

This group was originally formed in 2005 with 30 members. Since it started work with Farm Africa in 2011 its membership has grown to 80.

The group is currently trialling groundnuts as well as beans.

The demonstration plot is doing very well and members have learned new methods such as the importance of planting in rows and regular weeding. In fact, the members are so impressed with the results they have seen on the plots, they are keen to start growing beans and groundnuts at home. They intend to plant up to an acre each at home and to use the produce to feed their families and to sell surpluses at local markets.

Next steps for the Muddu Awulira Farmers Group will be learning how to most effectively market their produce.