Enhancing resilient food systems

With funding from AGRA, Farm Africa is working to transform maize and bean farming in Eastern Uganda. Working with Equator Seeds, the Grain Council of Uganda and Stanbic Bank Uganda, the project helps smallholder farmers in eastern Uganda to reduce crop losses, improve food quality and nutrition, and increase incomes.

Across eastern Uganda, food loss due to climate shocks and limited adoption of appropriate technologies is hindering agricultural development. Heavy rains and extreme weather destroy growing crops, while poor drying and storage causes crops to quickly deteriorate after harvest. Moisture and mould-related issues limit yield potential. Aflatoxin contamination lowers crop quality, reducing farm gate prices and farmers’ access to markets.

Lack of awareness about food loss reduction technologies and lack of access to finance mean farmers are not investing in tackling food loss, trapping many in cycles of food insecurity and poverty.

This project tackles these challenges by working with farmers to reduce food loss and strengthen farming production. It supports 1530 farmers’ groups producing climate-smart, nutrient-dense varieties of beans and maize to use simple, proven tools that protect crops after harvest. The project also promotes equality for women and young people through the Gender Action Learning System (GALS).

Farmers receive support from 329 trained Village-Based Advisors, who demonstrate ways to harvest, dry, store and sell their crops.

The project is also supporting 280 agro-dealers to improve the supply of food loss reduction technologies and improving farmers’ access to finance by working with Stanbic Bank to offer affordable loans and introducing easy-to-use digital platforms such as Flexipay.

In addition, the project connects farmers to trusted buyers such as Equator Seeds, supporting them to achieve consistent demand and higher prices for their high-quality grains.