Farmers in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement are strengthening their agricultural skills through the Grow Together Project, which promotes sustainable farming, improved food production and income-generating opportunities.
Implemented by ADRA Uganda with funding from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia through ADRA Croatia, the project supports 500 farmers through a community-based training and mentorship approach.
During a recent field monitoring visit, farmers showcased their gardens, featuring watermelons, spinach, onions, tomatoes and different varieties of beans. They also demonstrated livestock farming, including goat rearing, which offers additional opportunities for household food production and income.
Building Skills Through Community-Based Training
The project has established 50 Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), each responsible for training and mentoring 10 households, reaching a total of 500 farmers.
According to George Williams Kiberu, Projects Director at ADRA Uganda, the approach enables farmers to access practical agricultural knowledge and ongoing support within their own communities.
The training covers the cultivation of high-value crops, including tomatoes, cabbages and watermelons, which can provide opportunities for both household consumption and income generation. Farmers are also learning about appropriate planting techniques, crop spacing and harvesting practices to improve productivity.
Addressing Challenges in Agriculture
Despite their progress, farmers in Kyaka II continue to face challenges that affect agricultural production. Limited access to land, heavy rainfall, pests and diseases, inadequate agricultural inputs and limited market opportunities remain significant obstacles.
Kisamo Daniel, Settlement Commandant of Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, highlighted land scarcity as a particular concern, noting that the space available to individual refugee households can be insufficient for meaningful agricultural production.
Participating farmers also emphasised the need for better access to pest and disease control measures and markets, as well as improved storage practices to reduce post-harvest losses.
Growing Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods
Through practical training and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, the Grow Together Project aims to help farmers make better use of available resources, strengthen household food security and develop more sustainable livelihoods.
By equipping community-based trainers with the knowledge to support other farmers, the initiative encourages continued learning and strengthens local capacity beyond individual training sessions.
Grow Together is helping farmers turn agricultural knowledge into practical opportunities for stronger food security and more resilient livelihoods in Kyaka II.