On April 23, 2025, SAA hosted a landmark training session for Commercial Community-Based Facilitators (CCBFs) at its Uganda Country Office, reaffirming its commitment to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable smallholder transformation.

The event brought together key innovation partners including Tulima Solar, Wash and Wills Agro Mechanisation, Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC), AgPloutos, and Centenary Bank, to introduce cutting-edge solutions that strengthen both climate adaptation and mitigation for Uganda’s farming communities.

At the center of the engagement was Tulima Solar’s mission to expand access to affordable solar-powered irrigation. Demonstrations of the KK and KF Kits showcased how these technologies can extend growing seasons, improve yields, and reduce reliance on diesel-powered pumps.

Tulima’s use of app-based field assessments ensures precise, terrain-sensitive customization of irrigation systems, while their inclusive approach, offering subsidies for women and flexible payment options, ensures that no farmer is left behind in the drive toward climate resilience.

Tulima's efforts are significantly strengthened by the support of the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC). To dramatically increase affordability, UECCC has introduced a two-fold subsidy scheme, covering 60% of the cost of the irrigation kits, with farmers contributing the remaining 40%. Beyond subsidies, UECCC has partnered with four commercial banks, including Centenary Bank, to offer green loans at a reduced interest rate of 15% per annum, down from the typical 42%, making it feasible for smallholder farmers to invest in clean energy technologies such as solar irrigation systems. This blended approach of subsidies and affordable financing is accelerating the adoption of climate-smart innovations across Uganda.

Amb. Lt. Gen. Philip Idro, Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, delivering the keynote address during the event.

Addressing the mechanization gap, Wash and Wills Agro Mechanisation introduced the Farm Utility Vehicle (FUV), a rugged, multipurpose machine designed to support land preparation, irrigation, transport, and harvesting. With a focus on affordability and group purchasing, the FUV is enabling farmers to reduce labor costs and scale operations efficiently.

Highlighting regenerative agriculture innovations, AgPloutos introduced its organic-based soil and plant health solutions, which are designed to replace synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Their products not only boost yields by up to four times but also restore soil vitality, enhance microbial health, and promote human safety, positioning AgPloutos as a leader in climate-smart, regenerative farming.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Idro called for urgent reforms to reduce inefficiencies in agriculture, pointing to the 2.2 million tonnes of vegetables Uganda loses annually. “We must not only produce more but produce smarter reduce post-harvest losses, mechanize, and add value through innovation,” he stated.

SAA Uganda Country Director Mr. Robert Anyang added “This is not just about tools it’s about transformation. We are equipping our frontline CCBFs to shift farmers from subsistence to agripreneurship, using irrigation, mechanization, and regenerative inputs to build systems of resilience and growth.”

SAA’s Program Coordinator, Mr. Okiror Ande, emphasized the need for locally adapted innovations that reflect Uganda’s unique agricultural terrain, labor dynamics, and land systems. “We must stop importing solutions and instead build homegrown models grounded in data and context,” he said.

A cross-section of participants posing for a group photo after the training session.

Looking Ahead
SAA plans to scale training, expand awareness campaigns, deepen financial partnerships, and reach its ambitious target of installing 5,000 to 10,000 solar irrigation systems by 2027. The initiative stands to transform Uganda’s smallholder landscape by integrating clean energy, mechanization, and organic soil health innovations into a cohesive, inclusive model.