By Okwir Haron
At least a total of 163 Farmers’ Groups in Dokolo District have been registered to receive marketing grants under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSTAP), a six-year government initiative supported by the World Bank.
This was confirmed during a local government committee meeting held yesterday at the district council hall, where leaders met to review the project implementation and fast-track farmer sensitization efforts.
According to the UCSTAP focal point person, Mr. Opondo Patrick, the project was launched in December 2024 within the district, with aims of increasing productivity, market access, and resilience of selected value chains in the project areas, as well as responding promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.
He said that Dokolo District is implementing the project at a cost of UGX 219,308,580, of which 50% (UGX 128,384,315) for Quarter 1 and 2 (Q1 & Q2) was released by the end of the fiscal year (FY).
Opondo explained that through district stakeholders’ engagement, sensitization, and rollout, he confirmed that a total of 163 Farmers’ Groups have been mobilized and verified to benefit from the project, of which 132 were profiled, 56 developed business plans, 45 are validated, 28 have wallets with MCASH, 6 have ordered inputs, and 3 groups have redeemed and received inputs.
He also highlighted some of the key challenges they are facing, such as the slow uptake of citrus and mango enterprises by farmers, delays in E-Voucher system operations, transportation for value chain leads and extension, and the staying away of livestock (beef) farmers from the enterprise due to the large pieces of land required, among others.
The District Production Officer, Dr. Richard Enyang, calls for a high level of deliberation from stakeholders to ensure that most of the farmers benefit from the project, saying that there is no specific fund for the District, confirming that the project has already secured vehicles and motorcycles for the staff to ease their work.
Meanwhile, Tonny Odongo Ocen, District Vice Chairperson, said that climate change continues to pose numerous challenges, such as prolonged drought, to the community, hence calling for stakeholders’ focus on the project.
On behalf of the political wings and the District as a whole, Odongo pledged that they are very ready and willing to give full support to ensure that the project succeeds, and they will emphasize implementing government projects in the District.
The project, which was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), is being rolled out in 69 districts across the country, targeting improvements in fisheries, crops, livestock, and beneficial insects.
