As part of BRAC's 'microfinance plus' approach, BRAC Uganda launched the Agriculture and Livestock Programs in May 2008. Agriculture is the largest sector of the Ugandan economy and the most important income source for women as an estimated 77% of women are involved in some form of agriculture. BRAC’s programs are designed to increase agricultural output and income, decrease livestock mortality and increase rural employment.
The primary outreach agents for the agriculture activities are the self-employed model farmers/agricultural workers that are chosen from among the microfinance group members. BRAC provides free training, inputs, tools and technical support to these workers. Model farmers/agriculture workers specialize in crop production, poultry and livestock farming and promote good practices to others in their communities by using their own small farms for demonstration and by assisting neighboring farmers on technical issues.
On a recent visit to BRAC Uganda I had the opportunity to meet with three model farmers. Each woman had created a successful small business and was very appreciative of the support and training BRAC Uganda has provided.
Meet Faith:
Faith was a founding member of her microfinance borrowing group and is a model livestock rearer. She has already completed four loans with BRAC which have helped her purchase additional cows for her small farm. She has also received technical support from BRAC Uganda which she shares with other livestock rearers in her village.
Meet Zawedde:
Zawedde is a BRAC model farmer and cultivates crops including maize, tomatoes and beans. As a BRAC model farmer, she receives free seeds, technical support and farming equipment. Last year BRAC Agriculture workers advised her with her maize crops and this year they have advised her how to use an unproductive portion of her land to cultivate beans.
Meet Kabatooro:
Kabatooro is a BRAC livestock volunteer worker and has purchased three cows with her BRAC microfinance loans. She now has a total of eight cows which produce surplus milk that she can sell to her neighbors. Kabatooro is eager to utilize BRAC’s Artificial Insemination services to continue to grow her business.
As of July 2009, the BRAC Uganda’s Agriculture Program has provided training and support to 800 agriculture volunteers and 14,726 general farmers. BRAC Uganda’s Poultry and Livestock Program has provided training and support to 800 volunteers and 43,509 general rearers.
The primary outreach agents for the agriculture activities are the self-employed model farmers/agricultural workers that are chosen from among the microfinance group members. BRAC provides free training, inputs, tools and technical support to these workers. Model farmers/agriculture workers specialize in crop production, poultry and livestock farming and promote good practices to others in their communities by using their own small farms for demonstration and by assisting neighboring farmers on technical issues.
On a recent visit to BRAC Uganda I had the opportunity to meet with three model farmers. Each woman had created a successful small business and was very appreciative of the support and training BRAC Uganda has provided.
Meet Faith:
Faith was a founding member of her microfinance borrowing group and is a model livestock rearer. She has already completed four loans with BRAC which have helped her purchase additional cows for her small farm. She has also received technical support from BRAC Uganda which she shares with other livestock rearers in her village.
Meet Zawedde:
Zawedde is a BRAC model farmer and cultivates crops including maize, tomatoes and beans. As a BRAC model farmer, she receives free seeds, technical support and farming equipment. Last year BRAC Agriculture workers advised her with her maize crops and this year they have advised her how to use an unproductive portion of her land to cultivate beans.
Meet Kabatooro:
Kabatooro is a BRAC livestock volunteer worker and has purchased three cows with her BRAC microfinance loans. She now has a total of eight cows which produce surplus milk that she can sell to her neighbors. Kabatooro is eager to utilize BRAC’s Artificial Insemination services to continue to grow her business.
As of July 2009, the BRAC Uganda’s Agriculture Program has provided training and support to 800 agriculture volunteers and 14,726 general farmers. BRAC Uganda’s Poultry and Livestock Program has provided training and support to 800 volunteers and 43,509 general rearers.
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