OREANDA-NEWS. FAO, China and Uganda have signed a two year agreement worth almost $2.5 million to support small-scale farmers in Uganda in boosting their production, including through sustainable technologies. The agreement marks the second phase of a partnership initially established in 2012 to make training and technical advice available to the Ugandan agriculture sector.

The agreement was developed in the context of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme, which was established in 2009 and received further funding from China earlier this year (link to PR). SSC projects help developing countries share knowledge and expertise so that all can benefit from innovations and good practices that have been tried and tested in countries facing similar conditions and challenges.

Intensifying production, enhancing livelihoods

To date, Chinese experts offering guidance to local communities in Uganda have helped transfer 25 new farming technologies and introduced 17 new crop varieties such as hybrid rice, foxtail millet and maize, and have also provided invaluable agricultural equipment and tools. The addition of new technologies, varieties and training practices has shown good results with improved crop yields which have increased the incomes of smallholder farmers.

Widely regarded as a partnership success story, SSC between China and Uganda has enabled the effective exchange of expertise while boosting national food security and agricultural intensification and diversification in Uganda.

Priority areas for Phase two of the project include developing crop, horticultural, livestock and aquaculture production as well as introducing new technologies including renewable energy, agromachinery, and improved water harvesting and irrigation methods.

Some 4 000 farmers will be trained in a wide range of areas such as cereals, horticulture, aquaculture, livestock by experts located in five hubs across Uganda, including the districts of Kabale, Budaka, Mbarara, Amuria and Wakiso. Their activities will benefit the whole country as well as contributing towards the development of sustainable business models.

Uganda is  facing considerable challenges including a rapidly growing population, which has tripled in size since 1969, and vulnerability to climate change.  Addressing these requires improving the management of the country's natural resources, a process which is crucial for Uganda's development.