General Report

Agribusiness for Youth Employment and Self-reliance, is a three years project funded by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) in partnership with Opportunity International through Cohere. The project is implemented in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Kamwenge district, Uganda and targets 375 smallholder farmers, especially forcedly displaced persons, youths aged (16 to 35 years), and 125 each year. Target for farmers to earn 150,000 UGX per month through crop sales", and to create at least 3 new jobs within the RLO towards this project earning a minimum 150,000 UGX per month (70% female).   

The project's main activities include conducting intensive farmer trainings to each cohort-but with regular support and monitoring thereafter-of our refugee and host youth farmers with expert knowledge on post-harvest handling, better seed selection, forecasting market trends, role of smallholder farmer associations and saving groups, value addition, organic manure production, dangers of pesticides etc. 

A market-centric approach to farming by our target small holder refugee farmers will imply increased agri-business, more and better farm yields, marketability of farmers produce hence high incomes and better livelihoods.

1. For the count of the TWO years (August 2022 to August 2024), Out of 250[1] youths aged of 18-35, over 256[2] (95 females and 51 males) youths continue to undergo mentorship or coaching under VSLA and financial inclusion activities. Notice that the total numbers of participants were able to weekly save between 5,000 UGX and 15,000 ( 1 share to 3 shares) obtained from their weekly earning (e.g. selling cabbages, beetroots …) and other income generating activities (e.g. selling chapatti, poultry, selling eggs, selling grocery…) that they started from the loan got from their VSLA service between group members. Also, the participants were taken in conflict resolution procedures training sessions (8 to each group) where at least 246 beneficiaries (89 females, 47males) took part.
2. 2.      Under field farmer business school: 246 (95 females and 51 males) youths aged of 18-35 were trained on post-harvest handle activities.  

3.      Under farming as business: All the 10 youth groups continue to be linked with potential buyers and financial partners through farmer-buyer forums, and where prices determination discussion are held.

4.      Facilitation and guidance of groups to open bank accounts (or fill VSLA resolution to open an account e.g. with Opportunity bank). The 5 youth groups for the count of the second cohort are in progress: gathering required documents for qualification to open a bank account.  

5.      Farming demonstration site: At least 19 beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries groups continue to visit the site for enhancing their knowledge or skills in small-scale irrigation in order to improve their productivity and succeed their market-led agriculture during the drying season. 

 7 staff members (of whom 4 new) continue to get their salaries and improve their professional development. 

1. Understanding the communities we work is key in the success of this project. The intervention brought has responded to their pressing need of livelihoods. This furthermore has enhanced the partnership and increased their involvement in the project which is contributing to make it more responsive. 

2. Equipping the community with necessary knowledge contributes to expand it and reach more in unexpectedly efficient way. 

3. Projects related to farming requires flexibility as the seasons change unexpectedly

4. Equitable partnerships between beneficiary communities and interveners is key in attempting to bring any interventions. This raises the engagement and enable sustainability.