Access to finance is one of the challenges small-scale farmers face in Uganda. This hinders agricultural productivity, growth and obstructs farmers’ ability to implement sustainable practices.

According to a report by World Bank, “Unlocking Agriculture Finance” the challenges faced by farmers, particularly smallholders, in accessing necessary financial services to invest in their operations, improve productivity, and adapt to climate change, particularly in developing countries.

Agro-Tourism Association has played a role in addressing this financial gap through our loan scheme by supporting various individual youth and youth groups in Uganda. Under this arrangement, Watwero Youth Group, a youth group in Kitgum district, Northern Uganda which comprises of 26 youth, 14 male and 11 female, have greatly benefited

Members of Watwero Youth Group after one of the trainings by Agro-Tourism Association supported by GOAL Uganda. Behind is their first poultry unit

One of the members of the group, vaccinating the chics

After series of trainings in poultry management by Agro-Tourism Association supported by GOAL Uganda, the group received a loan worth UGX 1M which they invested in poultry farming, starting with 400 chicks and raising them to be sold at 1½ months old.

Their accomplishments not only generated a gross income worth UGX 4M but also inspired the neighbourhood, many youth, demonstrating that farming can be a viable and fulfilling enterprise for young people.

According to Joel Ochaya, the chairperson of the group, the group has taken tremendous progress since the support from Agro-Tourism Association. We got really practical skills in poultry business, later on received funding and currently we are supplying many markets in Northern Uganda and South Sudan. We are now saving to ensure we acquire a blooder so we can always raise our own Day Old Chics.

Delivery to clients

According to Andrew Ojok Amos, the regional manager for Agro-Tourism Association, unlike myth that some youths don’t want to engage in farming, there is quite a substantial number that is interested and engaged in agriculture. We have many groups such as Watwero spread cross Uganda who are profitably engaged in agribusiness. All we need is to continuously support them with both technical support but also financial and input assistance for them to thrive.

From the right, Joseph Taremwa (CEO Agro-Tourism Association), secretary of the Watwero Youth Group, Joseph Ochaya, the Chairperson of the Group and Andrew Amos, the regional manager for Agro-Tourism Association after the final assessment of the structured to receive Day Old Chic’s last year.

 One of Lambert’s staff removes freshly baked loaves from the baking pan at Hallelujah Bakery

Economic inclusion is still limited for refugees in their host communities, which poses a challenge to their livelihood, of which Uganda is no exception, which hosts over 1.7 million refugees, the largest population in Africa and the 6th largest globally.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 75% of refugees live in poverty while 70% legally have the right to work either partially or fully; only 50% have formal employment in practice.

In collaboration with Swiss Contact Uganda under the EcoProsperity project, the Agro-Tourism Association (ATA) aims at promoting economic inclusion for over 400 start-up agribusinesses. Of these, we are targeting young mothers and youth entrepreneurs in districts of Kagadi, Mitooma, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, and Buhweju.

These startups’ growth is mainly hindered by limited access to finance, lack of necessary equipment, limited access to market information, and lack of technical business knowledge to undergo agribusiness incubation with the Agro-Tourism Association so they can unlock their business growth potential.

Among the startups being supported are Congolese refugees in Kyaka Refugee Settlement and the host communities. Lambert Muhiwa a refugee youth entrepreneur from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the young entrepreneurs being supported in this programme. “At Hallelujah Bakery I produce bakery products with over 2.5 tonnes of wheat monthly. Currently, I directly employ 5 staff, whereby 2 are young females and 3 are male youths at the bakery,” he reveals.

He adds, “I have gained skills in business planning especially customer segmentation, quality product production principles and practices, among others. This is enabling me have to ensure that I produce quality products on the market. I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge in areas like branding and more. The support from ATA has given me hope to grow my business and create a brighter future for my family and the community.”

As a start-up, Lambert’s bakery is grappling with high rental costs, lacks necessary equipment used in baking and is also faced with high costs of bakery products.

He seeks potential partnership to further invest in his business, which is not only addressing economic hurdles by curbing unemployment in the refugee settlement but also improving livelihoods.

Left, Joseph Taremwa, CEO, Agro-Tourism Association (ATA), Lambert Mwiha, Owner of Hallelujah Bakery, and other staff from ATA in a group photo inside Lambert’s bakery holding some of the products produced by the bakery

The Chief Executive Officer of the Agro-tourism Association, Joseph Taremwa, reveals that there are more initiatives that are underway to support Lambert.

“Startups face challenges like documentation, whereby there are no records about their businesses, which affects their growth. For instance, Lambert has not kept his business records and has no business plans since he established his bakery in 2022, and this is one of the components we want to address through our incubation program supported by Swiss Contact Uganda. Together with many other young entrepreneurs, he is undergoing our incubation program to support him with soft skills such as business planning and record keeping, to mention but a few. Later on, we’ll be able to support them to access funding for their businesses,” says Taremwa.

Some of the various tastier bakery products produced by Halellujah Balery

We are looking forward to supporting him in acquiring means of transportation for his products and also formally registering his bakery as a separate legal entity.  During the visit, Joseph commended Muhiwa for training his wife and children in that they are also involved in daily business activities such as packing.

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