Farmers in the Tooro sub-region are registering improved agricultural productivity following support from the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, an initiative funded by the Government of Uganda and the Islamic Development Bank and implemented by the Microfinance Support Centre.
According to Tadeo Atuhura the Communications Manager at the Microfinance Support Center (MSC), the Project aims to improve rural livelihoods through a set of integrated and mutually reinforcing interventions in agricultural production and natural resource conservation such as provision of water for production and human consumption, development of rural economic infrastructure for market access, and increased access to affordable micro-finance.
He says it also focuses on strengthening rural economies through agricultural mechanisation, financial support and improved market access, has already begun transforming livelihoods in beneficiary communities.
“The LEGS Project is implemented through partnership with the Ministry of Local Government as the Executing Agency, the Microfinance Support Centre Limited (MSC) an Implementing Partner and the Ministry of Local Government,” Atuhura says.
In Kabarole District, the project supported Kijura SACCO Ltd with a tractor in 2024 under a co-funding arrangement where the government contributed Sh84m(60 per cent) while the SACCO raised Sh56m (40 per cent), bringing the total cost to about Sh145m.
According to Gerald Ngiramahoro, the General Manager of Kijura SACCO, the tractor has significantly boosted agricultural productivity while attracting more members to the SACCO.
“We thank the Government of Uganda, through the LEGS programme, for providing us with a tractor that is helping smallholder farmers cultivate their land and increase productivity,” Ngiramahoro says. He explained that since the tractor was delivered in January 2024, many farmers have expanded the acreage under cultivation, resulting in higher household incomes.
“Previously, most farmers relied on manual labour which limited production. With the tractor, farmers are now cultivating larger areas of land and producing more,” he adds. Ngiramahoro notes that the SACCO deliberately set lower service charges to ensure the tractor services remain affordable to farmers.
“Private tractors charge about Sh250,000 per acre, which is too expensive for many farmers. For our members, we charge between Sh100,000 and Sh140,000 depending on the terrain,” he explained. The availability of affordable mechanisation has also boosted SACCO membership.
“Last year alone we registered about 2,400 new members. Many joined specifically to benefit from the tractor services,” Ngiramahoro said. Kijura SACCO currently has close to 10,000 members and prioritises improving members’ livelihoods rather than maximising profits. “As a cooperative, our focus is to help members improve their household incomes and transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture,” he said.
Demand for the tractor services has expanded beyond Kabarole District to neighbouring districts including Kyenjojo, Bunyangabu and Kasese. “We initially thought the tractor would serve farmers within Kabarole only, but requests are now coming from other districts. This shows the demand for mechanisation is still very high,” Ngiramahoro said.
The project has also created employment opportunities, including jobs for tractor operators.
Robert Abigaba, a farmer from Munsiso Village in Kabende Sub-county and a member of the SACCO for two years, said mechanisation has greatly reduced the cost and time spent on land preparation. “Since the SACCO acquired the tractor, farming has become easier. We now prepare land faster and plant within the right season,” Abigaba said. He explained that before the introduction of tractor services, farmers relied on manual labour which was both costly and time-consuming.
“Previously it would cost about Sh250,000 to prepare one acre using labourers and it could take up to four days. Now we pay about Sh120,000 per acre and the work is completed in a very short time,” he said.
According to Abigaba, the mechanisation has enabled him to expand his farmland from nine acres to sixteen acres, leading to higher yields. “When we were farming manually, I would harvest about five to seven bags of maize per acre. After we started using the tractor, the yield increased to about ten bags per acre,” he said.
He also noted that deeper tilling done by tractors improves soil fertility. “When a tractor ploughs, it goes deeper into the soil and buries grass and debris which later decompose into manure, improving soil productivity,” he explained.
Abigaba recently opened 16 acres in just one day using the SACCO’s tractor services at a cost of Shs120,000 per acre, saving about Sh840,000 compared to manual labour. For tractor operator Rashid Mwesigwa, the project has been life-changing.
“I had spent two years without a job and I had loans in the bank while still constructing my house. When the SACCO acquired the tractor, they looked for an experienced operator and I was given the opportunity,” Mwesigwa said.
He added that the job has enabled him to clear his debts, complete his house and support his family. “The tractor is always busy and I plough about 14 acres a day. With this job I have managed to clear my debts and support my child who is now at university,” he said.
Beyond mechanisation, the LEGS Project is designed to reduce poverty and boost rural incomes through agricultural development, improved water infrastructure and market access. The programme has also empowered women to venture into businesses that were previously dominated by men.
Scondina Niwankunda, a health worker and loans officer with the Banyankole Bakiga Group in Rwebisengo Village, said financial support from the SACCO enabled her to start a mobile money business alongside her professional job.
“I received Sh2m which I used to start a mobile money business. It has provided me with additional income,” she says. “In my free time I operate the business and earn a commission of about Sh280,000 to Sh300,000 every month. I use part of the money to repay the loan and remain with some profit,” she adds.
She advises professionals to invest in side businesses instead of relying solely on their salaries. “Before joining the SACCO, life was difficult because I depended only on my salary. Now I have other sources of income,” Niwankunda adds.
Niwankunda credits president Museveni, the Microfinance Support Center and the ministry of local government for the programme saying it has transformed her life. Members have also invested collectively in livestock and land to expand their economic activities. According to Peace Kanyesigye, the group chairperson, the members used their initial funding to purchase six bulls worth Sh20m.
“In the second phase we received Sh40m and bought 8.5 acres of land where we plan to construct structures and expand our projects,” she says. Kanyesigye says the SACCO has grown significantly due to the opportunities created by the programme.
“I encourage women to join SACCOs and develop a culture of saving. When you save, you can take a loan and start a business. Personally, I no longer depend entirely on my husband for money because I have my own income,” she says.