UTNU is dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable communities, particularly in rural areas, through innovative programs that enhance agricultural productivity, economic empowerment, and food security. Aligned with the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII), UTNU prioritizes agriculture as a vital driver of economic transformation in Uganda, directly impacting the livelihoods of countless families.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, contributing 24.5% to the country’s GDP as of 2019/20, slightly down from 25.3% in 2012/13. The sector employs approximately 68.9% of the total labor force (including disguised labor), with 77% of this workforce being women and 63% being youth, many residing in rural areas. Key contributions include 51.6% from food crops, 18.2% from forestry, and 17.8% from livestock production. Additionally, cash crops account for 7.2%, fishing 5.1%, and agricultural support services 0.1% of the sector’s gross value added in 2019/20. Despite its significance, agriculture faces critical challenges, including slow technological innovations, inadequate access to agricultural finance and land, weak extension services, over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture, high transportation costs, and limited value addition.
In response to these challenges, UTNU strategically designed this program to empower rural communities through a variety of initiatives. First, providing training in modern and climate-smart farming techniques enhances productivity and promotes sustainable practices, helping farmers adapt to climate variability. Second, facilitating access to essential agricultural inputs, such as high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and tools, increases crop yields and supports the transition from subsistence to commercial farming, ultimately improving livelihoods.
Additionally, the program offers financial literacy training and access to microloans specifically for rural women and youth. This financial support empowers them to invest in agricultural ventures and small businesses, fostering economic independence. Furthermore, efforts to improve food security promote the cultivation of diverse and nutrient-rich crops, aiming to reduce hunger and malnutrition, particularly among women and children, and contributing to NDPIII’s Human Capital Development Program. Finally, vocational training in agriculture-related skills targets women and youth, preparing them for meaningful participation in the sector.
Through these initiatives, the program is dedicated to empowering farmers and rural communities by enhancing agricultural productivity, economic opportunities, and food security. This work directly supports NDPIII’s goals of improving household incomes and promoting agro industrialization, particularly for marginalized groups. By 2025, the initiative aims to reduce the percentage of households dependent on subsistence agriculture from 68.9% to 55%, create an additional 180,000 jobs annually in the agro-industry, and increase the proportion of households that have enough food from 60% to 90%.
