More than 3,600 smallholder farmers in the Teso sub-region are set to benefit from the Multi-Actor Project (MAP) being implemented by the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organisation (SOCADIDO) in partnership with the Ateker Development Foundation Platform (ADEFO).
The beneficiaries will be drawn from several districts across the sub-region as the project enters its second phase, with a strong focus on promoting sustainable agriculture, inclusive value chains, and improved livelihoods among smallholder farming communities.
The official launch of Phase Two of the MAP programme took place at Eneku Village in Soroti City, where SOCADIDO leadership and project partners outlined the scope, objectives, and long-term impact of the initiative.
Speaking at the launch, Rev. Fr. Michael Omaria, the Director of SOCADIDO, said the project, which started in November 2025, is designed to transform agricultural production systems while strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
“The Multi-Actor Project is aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening value chains among smallholder farmers in the Teso sub-region,” Fr. Omaria said. “It brings together farmers, civil society, local authorities, and development partners to jointly address challenges affecting agricultural productivity and incomes.”
Fr. Omaria further revealed that the project will run until 31 October 2029, with major implementation activities taking place in the districts of Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Ngora, Kalaki, Kaberamaido, and Soroti City.
He explained that beyond increasing production, the MAP programme seeks to address broader development challenges faced by farming households.
“The overall objective of this project is to improve the socio-economic situation of smallholder farmers in Teso through strengthening inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains,” he said. “This will be supported by a functional multi-stakeholder partnership platform that promotes coordination, innovation, and local ownership.”
According to SOCADIDO, the multi-actor approach will ensure that farmers are not only producers but active participants in decision-making processes that affect agricultural markets, access to inputs, climate resilience, and value addition.
Ben Boham Okiror, the Coordinator of the Ateker Development Foundation Platform (ADEFO), confirmed that 3,600 farmers will be reached directly by the project, noting that women will make up 60 percent of the total beneficiaries.
“This project is deliberately designed to be inclusive,” Okiror said. “By prioritising women farmers, we are addressing long-standing gender gaps in access to agricultural resources, skills, and markets.”
He added that the programme will support farmers to adopt improved farming practices, strengthen farmer organisations, and enhance linkages to markets and other value chain actors.
Okiror also commended BMZ Germany, the project’s key funding partner, for supporting an initiative he said will significantly improve farming practices and resilience among smallholder farmers in the region.
“With this support, we expect to see positive changes in farming habits, productivity, and household incomes across the Teso sub-region,” he noted.
Stakeholders say the MAP programme aligns with broader national and regional development priorities, particularly efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture, food security, and inclusive economic growth.
As implementation progresses, SOCADIDO and ADEFO expressed optimism that the project will leave behind strong, farmer-led systems capable of sustaining agricultural development beyond the project’s lifespan.
