In 2014, Apolot Christine’s savings at a local cooperative were a paltry 120,000UGX (USD 32), but by the end of 2022, she had banked UGX 1,740,000 (USD 464).  

Her rapid income growth was spurred by training provided by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) under its Agricultural Market Support (AMS) project, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP). She was trained to view farming as a viable business, with the essentials of financial literacy and collective marketing coming in handy to transform her operations.  

“After the SAA training, I joined the Abim West Farmers Network, which opened avenues I had never envisioned,” she said.  

In 2021, she bulk-sold 616kg of maize to the WFP’s HomeGrown School Feeding Programme, generating a substantial UGX 800,000, (USD 214) that boosted her savings to UGX 1,370,000 (USD 367).  

By diversifying her income sources, such as selling value-added products like posho, and bread in the local markets, she was able to reinvest her profits into more shares in her Saving and Loan Association (SLA). 

As at the end of 2022, her savings had grown nearly 1,347% compared to 2014, allowing her to diversify her investments through the purchase of two plowing bulls, several picks, and chicken. Christine’s journey continues to unfold, demonstrating the power of collective action and the importance of saving.

Just three years ago, Korobe Annaniah, was a struggling farmer, worn down with loans, school fees for his children and many other recurring expenses. As a young man, he had envisioned life, at the age of 57, full of wealth and tranquility, but his farming enterprise kept failing him, with meagre harvests each year and even lower sales.  

And just as he was about to give up, in 2020, he joined the Agriculture Market Support (AMS) project implemented by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), backed by the World Food Programme (WFP). He was trained in good agronomic practices, post-harvest handling practices, collective bulking, and commodity marketing, aspects of agribusiness that transformed his life. 

Embracing these skills, Korobe collaborated with fellow farmers to collectively offer their produce to the NADIFA store, a satellite collection point with a fair price for their produce. In his first year after training, Korobe’s 55 bags of produce sold him an impressive UGX 7,200,000 (USD 1926.22), a figure that was beyond his wildest imagination.  

“The knowledge I gained on post-harvest management, and collective marketing has been a game-changer for me,” he said.  

 This amount allowed him to clear a UGX 1,300,000 loan he had secured from the Savings and Loan Association, and which he was struggling to pay. He also spent UGX 930,000 in clearing tuition fee balances for his two children, and UGX 1,750,000 on household expenses.  

He spared UGX 3,200,000 for re-investment in his farming work, expanding his land under cultivation to 32 acres, comprising 23 acres of maize, 4 acres of sorghum, and 5 acres of beans. Using organic manure, he has been able to keep his production costs low, and he expects his output to continually increase.

“I’m happy that I did not give up on growing iron-rich beans because they have a high demand from local markets and people, due to their nutritional benefits, particularly for children and pregnant women.”   

These are the words of Joy Kansiime, a 48-year-old Ugandan farmer, who specializes in iron-rich beans (IRB), a crop she had cultivated for years, but only found greater success in after training by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA). Early 2022, she harvested 500kgs of IRB, all of which was sold within her village and neighboring communities at UGX 5000 (USD 1.34) per kilogram.  

“My beans are sought after for their quality and nutritional richness,” she said. 

Her second harvest, early this year, saw her get 700 kg of produce, out of which she has already sold 600 kgs, mainly through the Kitura Abamwe Group, which she joined in 2018. Her increasing income has allowed her to clear outstanding debts, support her children’s education, and provide nourishing meals to her household.  

Indeed, Ms. Kansiime’s venture has been transformative for her community, as it brought the nutrient-rich beans closer to her people, paving the way for healthier lives and a brighter future for the communities. 

For three exciting days, from June 21 to June 23, 2023, 111 extension workers, including 34 women, gathered at Makerere University’s School of Agricultural Sciences for intensive training on ethics, planning, communication, conflict management, and inclusivity.

The participants included government field extension workers and community-based facilitators (CBFs) from the northern, central, and southwestern parts of Uganda. The training aimed to equip the agents with critical skills for community engagement, such as farmer mobilization, communication facilitation, and report production.

This focus on areas beyond direct agronomic practices is crucial, as it enables extension workers to effectively bridge the gap between technical knowledge and its practical application within diverse communities, fostering trust and collaboration. It underscores the importance of a holistic approach in agricultural extension services, ensuring the harmonious integration of technical know-how with essential interpersonal and organizational skills.

Role plays and group activities took the trainees from the lecture halls to the fields in a fusion of theory and practice that honed their skills in real-world scenarios. At the end of it all, the participants were awarded certificates in the presence of Assistant commissioners from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to symbolize their commitment to excellence.

In August 2023, Napak district officials visited one of the SAA’s project sites supported by WFP and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Apetolim subcounty of Uganda. The project is one of two One Stop Center Associations (OSCAs) – in Kole and Napak districts – aimed at revitalizing and digitalizing agricultural cooperatives. The centers will be equipped with storage units, offices, computers, irrigation facilities, and maize mills.

The visit ensured construction quality, emphasizing local empowerment through the ‘SHEP’ approach for OSCA sustainability. District officials, led by the Production and Marketing Officer, Simon Peter Londungokol, expressed optimism about the facility’s impact, while emphasizing their commitment to quality, safety standards, training, and market support. Mr. Londungokol also pledged the government’s support in the acquisition of equipment and machinery.

Between June 22 and June 28, 2023, SAA hosted a nutrition extravaganza spanning Uganda’s Otuke, Kole, Rakai, and Isingiro districts. About 200 participants in each district, comprising vibrant mix of farmers, locals, and officials, came together for epic showcases of diverse farm treasures and nourishing meals.

A dazzling display of fresh food items from across the different food groups revealed the health benefits of dietary diversity.

More than a food festival, the Nutrition Daysprovided opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, and community collaboration. Live cooking demonstrations highlighted the integration of local produce into daily meals, with an emphasis on hygiene.

The participants did not leave empty-handed either; they each carried home Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) material covering everything from nutrition to modern agricultural practices, agro-processing, post-harvest management, and power gender integration.

In June 2023, Nobutaka Nakamura, a Japan Overseas Cooperation (JOCV) Volunteer specializing in vegetable and rice production, arrived in Uganda’s Nakaseke Climate Smart village looking to transform the community’s agricultural prospects.

Leveraging his expertise in Japanese agriculture, Mr. Nakamura is determined to amplify the local farming enterprise, through tailor-made strategies that respond to the unique needs of farmers in the region.

Mr. Nakamura’s presence in Uganda is also part of a cultural exchange between Japan and Uganda, aimed at fostering mutual learning and understanding.

By the end of 2023, 145 farmers (32 women) in Ethiopia will have enhanced their skills and production capacity in wheat seed cultivation. This group is part of 856 farmers (377 women), who were trained by SAA alongside 181 Extension Agents (35 women) on the intricacies of quality seed production and the inspection procedures and regulations in Ethiopia.

The cohort was taught on ways to maintain varietal purity, appropriate moisture content and weight, and disease and pest control. SAA then facilitated the establishment of four seed production clusters by 145 growers on 41.35 ha of land. Specifically, the project covered:

• Taguba Meskel and Kokit Kebeles in Meket district, where 43 farmers (including 8 women) cultivated seeds on 10.5 ha, while 22 farmers (5 women) utilized 7.1 ha;
• Kerekicho Kebele of Angacha district, where 60 farmers (16 women) worked on 13.75 ha, and
• Erba Buliyo Kebele of Ana Sora district, where 20 farmers (3 women) cultivated 10 ha.

Anticipating an average yield of 35 quintals per ha, the projected quantity of wheat seed production stands at 144.7 tons. Based on past market trends and future projections, the producers are poised to earn from their produce, contributing to the economic stability and food security of the region.

Across the production period, seed regulatory authorities and unions have been actively engaged in field inspections, ensuring that the seed production and certification laws are adhered to. The farmers are assured of a market for their produce through market linkages fostered by SAA with relevant unions to streamline seed marketing.

On August 7, 2023, the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) renewed its dedication to agricultural transformation in Nigeria, focusing on uplifting smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.

SAA-Nigeria’s Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, and Tokyo headquarters officials visited Nasarawa Agricultural Development Program (NADP) to discuss the establishment of two commodity aggregation centers in Lafia Local Government Area.

These centers, funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will offer modern agribusiness facilities, including rice processing machines, aiming to enhance market access, rice processing, community savings, and introduce climate-resilient rice cultivation practices. Local leaders expressed gratitude, with traditional titles bestowed on SAA team members.

For the full story click here

Four out of five Community Saving for Investing in Agribusiness (CSIA) groups trained by SAA-Mali have applied and received development loans from the Nyèsigiso microfinance institution.

Fifty representatives of the five cooperatives drawn from the Siraninkoto, Doumbadjila, Heremakono, Diawarabougou, and Badalabougou villages received financial training through an initiative organized by SAA and Nyèsigiso. The training covered the CSIA concept; the essence and objectives of savings; and savings plans, amongst other topics.

Nyèsigiso’s representatives provided detailed insights on the various loan offerings available to their clientele. They highlighted specific schemes like the “agricultural credit for rural women” and the “agricultural equipment investment credit.”

Additionally, they outlined the essential criteria for loan eligibility, including the requirement for a deposit of at least 13% of the desired loan amount. The institution offers loans at annual interest rates of 18%.