Feed the Future Uganda Inclusive Agricultural Markets Activity - FY2021 Q2 Report

The Activity aims to increase incomes and improve the livelihoods of households through more competitive, resilient, and inclusive market systems benefiting 38 districts across four regions in Uganda. These regions include Southwestern, Mount Elgon area, Karamoja, and Northern Uganda, which collectively represent the Feed the Future Zone of Influence (ZoI). The Activity adapts an inclusive approach that fosters opportunities for all actors seeking to participate in the market system, including the poor, women, youth, refugees, or other marginalized groups who are often excluded or exploited by traditional market systems. The Activity contributes to the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) Uganda Country plan goal of reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty and the USAID/Uganda Country Development Cooperation Strategy's (CDCS 2016-2021) five-year goal of strengthening Uganda's systems to accelerate inclusive education, health, and economic outcomes. Key achievements and learnings from the Activity's implementation progress include the Government of Uganda and private sector collaboration to address counterfeit inputs challenges. This collaboration has led to the development of an Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN) to combat the issue. Additionally, the Activity has strengthened member-based association services, with a focus on improving the capacity of these organizations to serve their members. The Activity has also made progress in inclusive investment by agribusiness and agro-industry firms. These firms have invested in improved technologies and services, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, agro-inputs suppliers have sold more improved technologies and services through inclusive distribution models, reaching a wider range of farmers and improving their access to quality inputs. Agro-processors, buyers, and aggregators have also invested in quality improvement to serve high-value markets. This has led to increased demand for high-quality products and improved market access for farmers. Financial service providers have extended their services to underserved markets, providing access to finance and other financial services for smallholder farmers and other marginalized groups. Transaction and capital advisory services have also been provided to support the development of market systems. These services have helped to improve the capacity of market actors to negotiate and manage transactions, leading to increased efficiency and reduced transaction costs. The Activity has made significant progress in its implementation, with a focus on creating efficiencies in cross-market functions. The Activity aims to influence systemic changes, leading to a sustainable impact on the sector and the country. The Activity's approach is inclusive, focusing on creating opportunities for all actors seeking to participate in the market system, including the poor, women, youth, refugees, or other marginalized groups. The Activity's geographic focus is on 38 districts across four regions in Uganda, including Southwestern, Mount Elgon area, Karamoja, and Northern Uganda. The Activity's timeframes are from October 16, 2019, to October 15, 2024, with a reporting period of January 2021 to March 2021. The Activity's Chief of Party is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Activity. The Activity's implementation progress has been monitored and evaluated through various data tables and visualizations. These data have provided insights into the Activity's performance and have informed decision-making. The Activity's cross-cutting activities include social inclusion, market systems resilience, environment and sustainable investment, collaboration, learning, and adaptation, and communications. The Activity's operations and management have been overseen by the Project Administration, Procurement, and Grants Management teams. These teams have ensured that the Activity is implemented in accordance with the terms of the contract and that all necessary procedures are followed.