The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

Increasing the competitiveness of Ugandan women farmers is the focus of the farmer-to-farmer project with Iowa farm women and women farmers in the Kamuli district of Uganda. Ugandan women farmers have previously made strides toward food self-sufficiency, but many still lack the production, postharvest management, and marketing skills needed to generate enough money for their families’ needs. Maize is a major food and cash crop for women, and they expressed interest in soybeans as another dual purpose crop. Both crops are in demand in Ugandan markets. Crop quality has been poor in the district, with estimated losses of 40% of the maize crop. Low grain quality due to high moisture, drying crops on bare ground, and beating maize to thresh it, reduces both the volume of grain available for sale and the price received. Lack of business skills limits farmers’ ability to access better markets and improve profitability. Women farmers are anxious to sell more commercially, but lack understanding of business formation that would help them working together to access better markets. The project, funded by USAID, focuses on building both crop management and marketing skills with 80 Ugandan women farmers and improving grain management and business development. Using a proven approach to teaching and techniques, each volunteer group builds upon the work and efforts of previous groups.