Residents of Kiruhura and Kyegegwa districts in western Uganda have embraced the sh1.2 trillion Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP), expressing confidence that the initiative will deliver substantial benefits to their communities.
The project is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the agriculture ministry. During the Second World Bank Implementation Support Mission held last week, the World Bank task team, together with the technical team from the ministry, reviewed the project’s progress in integrating climate-smart agricultural approaches.
The initiative aims to increase production and productivity, improve market access, and enhance resilience across all agricultural value chains, in alignment with the needs and aspirations of local farmers.
As part of a field visit to assess beneficiary readiness, the team met with Michael Karegyesa, a host farmer from Bwijukye Abesigana Farmers Group under the livestock value chain at Bwijukye village in Nyakishara sub-county, Kiruhura district. “We have been facing challenges.
For example, our local pasture does not provide enough milk for our cows. Currently, we average five litres per cow, but with better breeds, we expect to achieve between 20 to 25 litres per cow per day. We are ready to embrace the project for the best,” Karegyesa said.
The group chairperson, Yoram Bakhuta, expressed optimism that the project would introduce various advanced techniques to enhance their competitiveness in the market.
“I hope we shall benefit, as the project will provide us with pasture improvement techniques and better milk storage and transportation materials, such as proper milk cans instead of the jerrycans we are currently using,” he said.
The Bwijukye Abesigana Farmers Group comprises 20 members (16 men and four women), with over two years of operational experience.
They have already identified their host farmers for the project and are prepared for the next phase of selecting various agricultural inputs.
Michael Akora Birungi, the chairperson of the Kigambo Coffee Farmers Association in Kyegegwa, also expressed confidence that the project would provide them with greater access to markets beyond Kyegegwa, as well as valuable knowledge on coffee value addition.
Although fish farming is not common in Kiruhura, the Bwara Aqua Farm Group at Bwara village in Nyakashasha sub-county is also set to benefit from the project.
“Our main goal is expansion, ensuring that those around us benefit in terms of employment. To this end, we are seeking an expansion grant to increase our production,” Zam Nakiganda, the chairperson of Bwara Aqua Farm Group, said.
Edmund Moran Tukashaba, the technical officer at Bwara Aqua Farm, said they currently operate three fish ponds, producing approximately 4,000kg.
Community contribution Under the project, beneficiaries are required to contribute only 20% of the total funding, while the Government subsidises the remaining 80%.
During the visit, Henry Nakelet Opolot, the commissioner for agricultural extension and skills management, encouraged farmers to comply with the 20% co-funding requirement, emphasising that this would ensure their ownership of the project.
“Many may wonder why co-funding is necessary. But when you co-fund, you own it. If it is given for free, it will be treated as free. Let us take ownership and make sure it changes our lives,” he said. Pushina Kunda Ng’andwe, the World Bank UCSATP task team leader, said they are committed to ensuring the project’s timely implementation.
About UCSATP
UCSATP is a six-year, $350m (sh1. 2 trillion) World Bank-funded project implemented by the agriculture ministry.
The project is being implemented in 69 districts countrywide, including seven refugee-hosting districts, and is expected to benefit 3.9 million individuals, 40% of whom will be women. Another 265,000 beneficiaries will be from refugee camps, while 9.5 million people will benefit indirectly.
