Build a Farm - building better futures for the rural poor

Key Issues 

Farming is the most accessible industry in Uganda, yet millions of people practise it with very little gain.  Over 80% of the population live in rural areas and rely on subsistence farming for survival. One in six people are malnourished. Many cannot produce enough to feed their families.

Without savings or access to credit farmers cannot afford to buy good seeds, fertiliser or equipment. This, combined with poor knowledge of effective farming techniques means that their hard work results in low yields of poor quality crops. If they do have enough to sell after feeding their family, a lack of business skills, poor market information and the action of unscrupulous middle men means farmers get low returns for their efforts. 

In reality, this means people simply cannot afford to send their children to school, access basic healthcare or even feed themselves.

What we do

Build Africa is working with 250 farms in Masindi, Uganda to develop a model that pulls farmers out of poverty.

We provide financial support to ensure that farmers can invest in good quality seeds, fertilisers or oxen. A Savings and Credit Cooperative gives loans to farmers and manages loan recovery as well as encouraging savings.

We provide training to farmers in modern agricultural practices via demonstration plots and continuous on farm mentoring. We also train them in business and marketing skills, so they are equipped to deal with the demanding market.

Lastly, the farmers work as a collective, giving them greater bargaining power to bulk buy inputs such as seeds or fertiliser and crucially, to bulk their produce and access commercial markets which would otherwise be out of their reach.

"I plan to develop the farming business for many years to come...before I joined the cooperative I was harvesting 3.5 metric tonnes per season, now I am harvesting 6 metric tonnes per season."

Charles Monday (pictured above) of the Katweyambe Youth Group, Masindi District, Uganda