Uganda Climate Smart Agric Transformation Project

Promoting apiculture through the Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP): Kabale District Local Government, through its Production Department, has handed over beekeeping inputs worth Shs28.9 million to 17 youths under the Bufuka Youths Beekeeping Group in Kyanamira Sub-county to boost honey production and improve household incomes. The inputs were provided under the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP), a government initiative aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, strengthening resilience to climate change and improving farmers’ livelihoods. The handover ceremony took place at Amasiko Primary School in Kyanamira. According to Alphonse Twinamasiko, the Chairperson of Bufuka Youths Beekeeping Group, the 17 members had benefited from a range of equipment intended to improve their beekeeping activities and the quality of honey produced. The items include 170 Kenya Top Bar (KTB) beehives, 17 protective overalls with attached veils, 17 pairs of bee gloves, 17 pairs of gumboots, 17 bee brushes, 85 airtight buckets, 34 sieves, 17 hive tools, 17 bee smokers and 17 hive knives. Twinamasiko said the group contributed Shs 6.36 million, representing 20 per cent of the project cost, while the government contributed Shs 22.54 million, equivalent to 80% , in line with the project’s co-funding guidelines. Each member contributed Shs 374,400 towards the group’s share of the cost. Courtesy: Kabale District Local Government. @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP

Upholding quality and standards in the dairy sub-sector, hand-in-hand with processors: Today, a team from the MAAIF Department of Veterinary Regulation and Quality Assurance has embarked on routine inspection of dairy processing facilities, starting with Rainbow Dairies Uganda, in Mukono district. In line with requirements of government regulations as well as global standard bodies, the inspectors ❇️ Verify pasteurization controls by checking automated temperature, time, and valve logs to guarantee all harmful bacteria are destroyed. ❇️ Check for enforcement of strict physical zoning between raw milk areas and finished product lines to prevent dangerous cross-contamination. ❇️ Audit Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) systems to ensure the right chemical strength, heat, and time are used to wipe out invisible bacterial biofilms. ❇️ Track the cold chain and testing logs to ensure incoming milk is free of antibiotics and kept safely chilled from the farm to the shelf. ❇️ Observe worker hygiene and safety habits on the factory floor to ensure personnel protocols match written compliance records. #AgricultureUG #LivestockUG @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

Promoting apiculture through the Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP): In Kabarole District, a 20-member farmer group known as the Kimuhonde Tweyimukye Faithful House Group received training and equipment for Beekeeping through the Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP). This group which engages in commercial Beekeeping has members across Kimuhonde cell, Kasisi Ward, Kiko Town Council in Kabarole district. The group received 200 KTB hives among other inputs and the members are working together to increase honey production to supply the high demand for honey in the nearby Fort Portal City by Tourists and other buyers. #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

Farmer Field and Business School Approach to boost delivery of Agricultural extension services: Agricultural extension officers from Kamwenge,Kazo, Katakwi, Oyam, Pallisa, Pader, Kumi, Kikube, Kisoro, Kiryadongo, Kitgum , Kibuku, Yumbe, Kween, Kibale, Kiruhura and Kotido districts have been enrolled in the third Cohort of the training on the Farmer Field and Business School Approach. The training which was convened through the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (@UCSATP) was officially opened by Dr. Henry Nakelet Opolot the Commissioner for Agriculture Extension and Skills Management alongside Ms. Rose Kabagyenyi the Senior Presidential Adviser on Agriculture. In her remarks, Ms. Kabagyenyi emphasised the importance of accountability, effective utilisation of government resources, particularly agricultural machinery, and results-oriented service delivery. She urged extension officers to ensure that UCSATP interventions translate into increased agricultural productivity, improved household incomes and better livelihoods for farmers. Dr. Nakelet underscored the critical role of agricultural extension workers in transforming subsistence farming into commercial agriculture. He encouraged participants to embrace professionalism, innovation, continuous skills development and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices to strengthen farmers productivity and resilience. This training is hosted by the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) @MakCAES . #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

Agricultural Extension Services: A technical meeting to review and finalise the draft National Agricultural Extension Strategy for 2026/27–2029/30 is underway at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, Kajjansi. The meeting brings together selected stakeholders to review and refine the strategy to ensure it responds to current agricultural sector reforms, farmers' needs and national development priorities. Dr. Henry Nakalet Opolot, Commissioner for Agricultural Extension and Skills Management, highlighted the importance of the strategy in providing a clear framework for coordinating agricultural extension services, strengthening the capacity of extension workers and improving service delivery. He noted that the strategy will also ensure farmers receive timely, relevant and practical agricultural information while harmonising extension approaches across the country to boost productivity and accelerate the transformation of Uganda's agricultural sector. #AgricultureUG #AgExtensionUG @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER @PS_MAAIF

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Big leap for Butaleja District as Kaiti Modern farmer group in Naweyo sub-county starts rearing of black soldier flies. Having completed training with the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP), Kaiti Modern farmer group in Kaiti Parish of Naweyo sub-county started rearing black soldier flies, earlier this week. Black Soldier Flies (BSF), also known by the scientific name "Hermetia illusens" are non-pest insects that turn organic waste into valuable farm inputs and a rich source of proteins. The larvae of Black Soldier Flies contain between 35% and 42% protein and about 30% fat, making them a low-cost nutritious alternative for more expensive sources like fishmeal and soybean mill for poultry, pigs and fish. The larvae also rapidly consume market waste, food leftovers, brewery waste and animal manure, reducing organic waste and lowering methane immissions. This makes the rearing of these flies a climate-smart venture. Such farmers are supported throuh the Beneficial Insects Value Chain of UCSATP. @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP #CSAMAAIFFridays

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Today, Agricultural officers from Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba,Iganga,Isingiro , Kabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kamuli, Tororo, Nwoya,Omoro and Otuke who were convened through the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) have participated in practical sessions on the Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) approach. The sessions featured keynote address from Dr. Henry Nakalet Opolot the Commissioner for Agriculture Extension and Skills Management who commended district extension workers for their efforts in supporting farmers and urged them to ❇️ strengthen their professional competencies ❇️ align their work with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and ❇️ demonstrate measurable results in transforming subsistence agriculture into commercial farming. The day’s activities also included a practical field exercise on Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA), equipping participants with hands-on skills in crop observation, field assessment, and informed decision-making to enhance farmer learning and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. These activities were hosted by the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) @MakCAES. #MAAIF_UCSATP #AgricultureUG @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

Climate-smart Agriculture: Reinforcing extension services to promote climate-smart agriculture across Uganda. Agricultural officers from Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba,Iganga,Isingiro , Kabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kamuli, Tororo, Nwoya,Omoro and Otuke have been convened through the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) for a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) approach. This is the second cohort under the Crop Value Chain hosted at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) @MakCAES and it will run from 26th to 30th October 2026. The training aims to equip agricultural extension officers with the knowledge and practical skills required to establish and effectively facilitate Farmer Field Schools at community level, strengthening farmer learning, knowledge sharing and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Through this capacity-building initiative, UCSATP continues to strengthen agricultural extension services, enhance farmer productivity and build resilience to climate change while promoting sustainable agricultural development. The training has brought together District Agricultural Officers (DAOs) and two Agricultural Officers (AOs) from each of the participating districts. #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER