Shs1.3 trillion World Bank project to transform rural communities

 In the heart of western Uganda, where the rolling hills and lush landscapes belie the struggles of rural life, a new dawn is breaking for farmers in Kiruhura and Kyegegwa districts. The Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP), a $350m (about Shs1.3 trillion) initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (Maaif), promises to revolutionise the way farmers cultivate the land, raise livestock, market products and manage the unpredictable effects of climate change.

For communities that have long battled the vagaries of weather and market fluctuations, this project offers a chance to transition from mere survival to sustainable prosperity and to unlock the full potential of Uganda's agricultural sector. Mr Michael Karegyesa, a member of Bwijukye Abesigana Farmers Group in Kiruhura, hopes to reap big from the project. With their dairy farm struggling to produce more than five litres of milk per cow every day, Mr Karegyesa is pinning his hopes on the UCSATP to provide them with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to boost production and improve livelihood.

“We are excited about the prospect of getting better breeds, improved pasture, and modern milk storage and transportation facilities,” he said. Mr Karegyesa added: “If we can increase our milk production to 20-25 litres per cow per day, our lives will change for the better.” Under the UCSATP, various road infrastructure will also be improved in 69 districts. The clearing of a road choke in Kyatega and Kakabara sub-counties in Kyegegwa is expected to ease trade.

Kakabara Sub-county is home to a bustling market in Gasani Trading Centre, and with the road improvement, farmers will have better access to this hub. Ms Betty Kunihira, a farmer from Busuula, Kyatega Sub-county, said the road is in a sorry state, making transportation of goods difficult. “Our crops are bought at a low price, for instance, maize that costs Shs1,000 per kilogramme elsewhere, is sold here for Shs200 due to the high transportation costs resulting from the poor state of the road,” she said. The situation worsens during the rainy season, when floods render the roads impassable. Mr Jameson Kisheijja, also a farmer, recounted the devastating consequences of the floods.

“When it rains, the road becomes impassable, making it difficult for us to transport our products to the market. Additionally, even retail shops here sell necessities like salt, sugar, and soap to us at high prices compared to other areas due to the poor road conditions,” he said. Despite the challenges, the farmers remain hopeful. “With this intervention, we will benefit economically because we will now be able to even take our products to the market by ourselves and avoid being cheated,” said Mr Kisheijja, his eyes lighting up with optimism.

Although fish farming is not a common activity in Kiruhura District, the Bwara Aqua Farm Group in Bwara Village, Nyakasahasha Sub-county, Kiruhura, is among the groups set to benefit from the Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project. “We are looking at expansion as our main goal to further make sure that the people around us benefit in terms of employment, to this effect, we are looking up to having an expansion grant to increase our produce,” said Ms Zam Nakiganda, the group chairperson.

Success stories

According to Mr Edmund Moran Tukashaba, the technical officer of Bwara Aqua Farm, they are currently operating three fish ponds, producing approximately 4,000 kilogrammes. They are optimistic that their production will increase once the UCSATP addresses the existing production gaps, including access to quality and effective preservation equipment, fish farming cages, markets, and extension knowledge on fish farming.

Beyond individual farming, the project is expected to have a ripple effect on the entire agricultural sector in Uganda. By promoting climate-resilient practices, improving market access, and strengthening resilience across all agricultural value chains, the project aims to increase agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and contribute to the country’s economic growth. With 3.9 million direct beneficiaries and 9.5 million indirect beneficiaries expected to benefit from the project, the impact is likely to be felt far beyond the districts where it is being implemented.

According to Ms Pushina Kunda Ng'andwe, the World Bank UCSATP task team leader, the project is designed to be scalable and replicable, with the potential to transform agriculture across Uganda and beyond. “The project also entails matching grants that are to be given to refugee farmers and other smallholder farmers to boost their production and productivity,” she said. Ms Ng'andwe added: “UCSATP will also support development of agro-metrological systems to provide farmers, including refugee farmers with weather updates and early warnings.”

But the project’s success will depend on the active participation and ownership of the farmers themselves. To ensure this, beneficiaries contribute 20 percent of the total cost of the funding, while the government subsidises the remaining 80 percent. World Bank and Maaif officials are currently moving to various selected districts, evaluating the progress on the project implementation under the UCSATP Second World Bank Implementation Support Mission since the last mission held in November 2024.