Semi-Annual Report October 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013: The FOOD, AGRIBUSINESS AND RURAL MARKETS (FARM) PROJECT

The project's objectives were to increase agricultural productivity, enhance agricultural trade, and build the capacity of farmers, cooperatives, and other stakeholders. Agricultural productivity was a key focus area, with the project aiming to improve crop yields and reduce post-harvest losses. To achieve this, the project distributed improved seeds and planting materials to farmers, including maize, groundnuts, sorghum, cassava, and Phaseolus beans. The project also established demonstration plots to showcase the benefits of improved agricultural practices. The project's trade and marketing component aimed to improve the market access of farmers by linking commodity buyers to farmers. This was achieved through the use of smartphone technology, which enabled farmers to access market information and connect with buyers. The project also conducted market assessments and value chain interventions to identify opportunities for improving agricultural trade. Capacity building was another critical component of the project, with a focus on training farmers, cooperatives, and other stakeholders on improved agricultural practices and business management skills. The project used a training of trainer model to build the capacity of trainers, who then trained farmers and other stakeholders on improved agricultural practices. The project also provided technical support to institutional development of cooperatives and facilitated the establishment of farmer business organizations. The project's geographic focus was on 27 target payams in Uganda, with a priority on counties with access to markets. The project also supported the expansion of alternative land clearing and land preparation strategies. The project's timeframe was from October 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, with a semi-annual report submitted to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project's achievements included the distribution of improved seeds and planting materials to over 10,000 farmers, the establishment of 20 demonstration plots, and the training of over 500 farmers on improved agricultural practices. The project also linked over 1,000 farmers to commodity buyers using smartphone technology. The project's lessons learned highlighted the importance of building the capacity of farmers, cooperatives, and other stakeholders, as well as the need for continued support to institutional development of cooperatives. The project's conclusions emphasized the need for sustained support to agricultural development in rural areas, particularly in the areas of agricultural productivity, trade, and capacity building. The project's recommendations included the need for continued investment in agricultural research and development, as well as the need for improved market access and trade facilitation.