Zombo, Uganda: Farmers from Nebbi, Zombo, and Arua districts are appealing for an extension of the Dutch-funded “Power of Voices” project, citing improvements in crop yields and livelihoods over the past five years.
Launched in 2020 and scheduled to end in December 2025, the project is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by partners including Oxfam, Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA), Agency for Community Empowerment (AFCE), SEATIN Uganda, ESSAF Uganda, and CSBAG Uganda.
The initiative has trained thousands of farmers on modern farming techniques, with a particular focus on coffee and vegetable production. Through the vegetable crops program led by UAA, farmers are linked across the supply chain to set goals, coordinate actions, and strengthen inclusive agribusiness.
Gloria Beriu, a 21-year-old mother and lead farmer from Ajere village, Nyapea Sub-county, said the project transformed her farming.
“The project taught me better vegetable growing techniques, increasing my harvests of onions and cabbage. I have started building a permanent house with the income from my crops. We need more training to keep improving our lives,” Beriu said, while requesting additional irrigation tools and farm equipment to mitigate losses during dry seasons.
Dominic Akena, another lead farmer, praised the initiative for enhancing crop quality and yields.
“With money from selling onions and cabbages, I can pay my children’s school fees easily. This project is a blessing, and we ask the funders to continue supporting us because we have more to learn,” Akena remarked.
At a farmers’ gathering at Ayanyunga Micro-Station in Osoye Parish, Zombo district, Mariam Okiror, Head of Program Development at UAA, pledged continued support for crop production.
“This is a major project with multiple partners. If we manage the funds well, we may secure additional funding to further empower farmers,” Okiror said.
Muddy Oyikuru, project officer at AFCE, noted that the initiative aims to improve farmers’ livelihoods through capacity building and access to resources. The program currently supports six farmer groups with 1,388 members, including 665 women and 723 men, across Nebbi, Zombo, and Arua districts.
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