BACKGROUND:
Agriculture is a core sector of Uganda’s economy and the largest employer. Over 80 per cent of women are employed in the sector and contribute about 75 per cent of agricultural production. The sector presents multiple highly-profitable investment opportunities both for profit-oriented investments and partnerships.The sector also plays a critical role in providing occupation to many Ugandan youth. Even using the stricter employment definition, thus excluding subsistence agriculture, the sector absorbs 54 percent of the 18 to 30–year–olds compared to 31 percent for those aged 31 to 64, followed by manufacturing (mostly agro–processing), wholesale and retail trade and other services (MGLSD, 2018).Tooro region boasts of fertile soils and well distributed rainfall with two major seasons in a year which is very important for sustainable agriculture prodcuction. It also boasts of the existing infrastructure in electricity, road network and a policy and institutional framework that enable investors to operate effectively in Tooro region.
With such opportunities Tooro has capacity to produce priority commodity value chains such as coffee, cotton, cocoa, maize and banana value chains. Vegetables, honey and fruits can as well be produced here.
However, there are obstacles to increasing production, such as the limited availability of finance and investment, the lack of access to timely and quality market information, poor agricultural practices and limited access to use of quality agro-inputs.
Under the Agriculture and livelihood programme, TISED-U supports linkage building between farmers, producers and manufacturers to guarantee product quality and standards but also secure and safe guard local,national and international markets.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Protect and improve local investment, household incomes, food and nutrition security, including asset base, through increased means of production and access to markets and financial services.
Key projects under this program area
- Bee Keeping/Apiary
- Vegetable production
- Livestock support and promotion (Goats, Piggery and Rabbits)
- Mushroom production
- Food and Nutrition security promotion
- Promotion of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Mechanisms i.e. efficient energy cook stoves, heat retention bags, making charcoal briquettes, tree planting through promotion of community tree nurseries.
- Promote and support Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)
- Promotion of local investment through value addition
