You are here: Home > Where we work > Uganda > Beans and peanuts

Beans and peanuts

Baale George, a community seed farmer who produces disease-resistant bean seeds for sale in his community. Baale George, a community seed farmer who produces disease-resistant bean seeds for sale in his community.

Three-quarters of Uganda's working population works in agriculture, and subsistence agriculture employs more than 16 times the number of people than commercialised agriculture.

But these small-scale farmers often struggle to produce enough food, because of:

  • small plots of land
  • poor access to training and credit
  • lack of quality seeds, fertilisers, pesticides
  • poor soil management techniques.

When they do have a surplus straight after harvesting, prices are at their lowest and farmers struggle to make money at local food markets. This creates a vicious circle in which farmers have little incentive to raise production levels or invest in new techniques.

Better seeds

By teaching them new technologies and farming techniques, Farm Africa helped local farmers increase production of crops such as beans, peanuts and a rice variety that doesn’t need flooded fields. Bigger harvests leave farmers and their families with more to eat – and some surplus to sell.

We also helped them get the best price at market by strengthening institutions such as farmers’ groups and associations, who can sell their produce collectively.

These registered groups are able to take out loans so farmers can buy better-quality seeds like drought-tolerant upland rice and protein-rich beans and groundnuts.

Support farmers today Support farmers today

Help us make real changes to the lives of farmers in eastern Africa by making a donation.                            

DONATE NOW

Stay up to date with the latest news and projects