By Aloysious Kasoma
Solomon Odong, the 2023 youth special category winner in the Best Farmers Competition, has successfully transitioned into commercial farming with interventions to enhance value addition for farmers.
The Scaling Sustainable and Equitable Value in Cereals Value Chains in Uganda (S4S) project, funded by aBi Development Limited and Solidaridad East and Central Africa, played a pivotal role in his transformation. This project targeted farmers involved in cereals such as maize, sorghum and barley.
Odong, a 32-year-old farmer based in Mukura, Ngora district, diversified his income by growing sorghum, maize and cassava.
With the assistance of the S4S project, Odong and 10 farmer groups in his area embraced value addition in the cereal value chain, significantly impacting food security and economic opportunities in the region.
In an interview with Harvest Money, Odong said: “I have expanded my operations significantly. I have established a processing facility and purchased land in Kumi to build a warehouse.”
He attributed the project’s success to support, including a solar dryer and a multi-purpose slasher worth sh15m, which boosted productivity by 20% and increased income by 50%.
“Through partnerships with Landmark Millers and Uganda Breweries Limited, we secured seeds and market access,” Odong said.
“Additionally, we received comprehensive training in agricultural techniques and business management, along with essential agricultural inputs like tarpaulins, fertilisers and high-quality seeds.”
Currently managing seven acres of sorghum, Odong plans to expand to 50 acres next season, expecting to employ over 80 people directly in planting, weeding and bird control.
The S4S project has also enhanced marketing and value chain practices for several co-operatives, including Nyekorac Community Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited in Lira and Lalem United Multiplication Co-operative Society.
Dennis Opio, the chairperson of Nyekorac Community Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited, boasted of the project’s impact.
“Since its inception in 2023, we have seen a significant increase in the number of farmers benefitting directly, from 30 to 3,500, across maize, soybean, and sesame value chains,” he said.
Esther Tino, the project officer, outlined the S4S key interventions aimed at improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods over its two-year duration.
These included promoting good agricultural practices, providing solar dryers, slashers and tarpaulins, offering training in quality assurance, agroforestry, and financial literacy, as well as establishing market linkages.
“The project has empowered women and youth with practical skills in agronomy and financial literacy across several regions, including Acholi, Lango, Sebei, Mbale and Teso,” Tino added.
She emphasised the project’s commitment to sustainable production and inclusive market access for farmers.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Odong (left), at his sorghum garden in Tibil village, Bukedea district. Photo by Aloysious Kasoma
