Enabling Synergies among Organized and Enterprising People (ESO-EP) is a TRIAS-funded project implemented by Uganda National Farmers Federation through the Deputy CEO’s office with an aim to strengthen the leadership capacities of selected member farmers’ organizations at district level to create more qualified and accountable leaders of the famer MBOs. ESO-EP project addressed areas in UNFFE’s 2013-2017 Strategic Plan which focused on enhanced promotion of favorable policies and advocacy for farmers; enhanced farmer institutional development and capacity; enhanced agribusiness development financing and resource mobilization; improved natural resource management and agricultural productivity; mainstreaming gender and HIV/AIDS in all program activities, and enhancing organizational management. This was also carried to the strategic plan 2018-2023.
The main derivative of the overall objective is to strengthen leadership and have significant growth and development of farmer Member Based Organizations (MBOs).
Project Purpose
The project is intended to strengthen the leadership capacities of selected member farmers’ organizations at district level to create more qualified and accountable leaders of the famer MBOs. These leaders will effectively steer and represent the farmers at different levels especially at district level. UNFFE will represent the voice and interest of the farmers and influence policies at national and other levels in Uganda.
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS
UNFFE carried out trainings of leaders and members of farmers’ organizations in many districts of Uganda as indicated below:
Training in West Nile Region: Training in lobby and advocacy was carried out for leaders and farmers of Koboko, Arua, Zombo and Moyo DFAs. 120 UNFFE members in that area were trained of whom 42 were female and 78 were male. It is however important to note that among those attending, 20 were youths, which gives much hope for the future of the leadership of farmers and for agricultural development in general. The training has drastically improved lobby and advocacy capacity of our members as well as improved relationships with District Local governments, for example, the case of Moyo which was helped to formulate and present an ordinance on food security. The ordinance has already been presented to Koboko District Local Government Council and has been adopted!
Training in Other Districts: The project, through UNFFE, has carried out training of farmers and their leaders in many aspects of leadership and other skills which have included: Enabling Rural Innovation” (ERI) methodology, different CSA technologies, and the Use of FACT methodology. These have greatly contributed to the increase in the members’ capacity in regard to their lobby and advocacy activities.
