Farmer Sensitization and Demonstration
Farmer sensitization had been a priority, with the team reaching 850 farmers in
Agali and the neighboring Gomi sub-county, nearly tripling their target. This was
achieved through field demonstrations, training sessions, and awareness
campaigns. Four demonstration gardens were established to illustrate the benefits
of certified seed, helping to rebuild trust among farmers who had previously been
misled by counterfeit products.
Financial Access and Market Integration
To support financial access, the project had collaborated with Equity Bank and
telecom operators to facilitate SIM card registration and mobile banking services.
This enabled youth and farmers to open accounts, receive agricultural loans, and
conduct transactions efficiently. Additionally, a partnership with Tulima Solar,
brokered through Equity Bank, provided access to solar-powered irrigation
equipment on concessional loan terms, supporting climate adaptation efforts.
Recognizing the importance of market access for productivity gains, the team had
established formal partnerships with four off-takers in Lira town, doubling their
original goal. These agreements ensured market access and price stability for
participating farmers. Furthermore, the team had worked with local government
authorities to incorporate seed subsidies into the Lira District sub-county
development budget for FY2024/25, securing the sustainability of their
interventions through public funding and policy support.
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