Promoting Rural Development in Northern Uganda

Farm Africa has partnered with GIZ on the PRUDEV II project to strengthen the capacity of at least 50 Farmer Organisations (FOs) in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions in Northern Uganda. The aim is to support their development into strong and viable business organisations that can provide quality services to their smallholder farmer-members, emphasising women and young people, while competitively trading profitably.

In northern Uganda, around 90% of people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, many smallholder farmers – particularly women and young people – face major challenges, including the effects of climate change, poor access to markets and limited financial services.

Farmers lack the knowledge of climate-smart farming practices and access to farming inputs and buyers needed to increase their productivity and incomes. Through this project, Farm Africa and GIZ support local Farmer Organisations to work directly with farmers. These organisations provide guidance on climate-smart agriculture, improved farming practices and business management, helping farmers increase their resilience, productivity and incomes.

Farm Africa links Farmer Organisations to suppliers providing essential goods and services, giving them access to affordable farming technologies like improved seeds, fertilisers and storage and processing equipment, and affordable and diversified financial services.

The project trains and supports Farmer Organisations in quality control and post-harvest handling to help farmers meet market standards. It also helps improve packaging and branding practices, improving product presentation, trade opportunities and profitability.

In addition, the project creates platforms such as trade fairs and online marketplaces, enabling Farmer Organisations to connect directly with buyers, expand networks and build long-term business relationships.

Each Farmer Organisation undergoes a capacity assessment to identify strengths and gaps.

Support to the Farmer Organisations includes workshops on leadership, business management and financial planning, alongside one-to-one coaching from short-term local experts in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions.

A combination of training, mentoring and coaching ensures that support is practical and tailored to the specific challenges Farmer Organisations and smallholder farmers face.

The project supports women and young people to take up leadership positions in the Farmer Organisations. It also helps them to build confidence, business skills and professional networks, while ensuring activities are flexible and take into account childcare and household responsibilities.