Market-orientated, climate-friendly agriculture in the project area in order to ensure income and food security.
Directly involved: 1.100 smallholder farmers (715 women and 385 men) organised into farmers' associations, youth groups and cooperatives. 20 young people are supported with agricultural courses. Indirectly involved: 6.370 farmers (3.345 women and 3.025 men).
The effects of climate change have reduced agricultural productivity in Uganda. Environmental degradation, particularly progressive deforestation, is causing 25% of the forest cover to be lost every year. The population is dependent on land for survival. Young people make up an important part of the population. However, due to the high levels of poverty and the inadequate link between the curriculum and the employment sector, most of them are unemployed (80 %). A lack of education, young people resort to unsustainable practices in fragile ecosystems. YARD has identified the Enabling Rural Innovation (ERI) approach as a promising approach to tackle these complex challenges in the field of sustainable agriculture. The current project phase builds on the experiences and lessons learnt from the previous phases, where ERI has proven to be an appropriate approach to the needs of the region, successfully increasing the production and productivity of smallholder farmers.
Youth Association for Rural Development (YARD) was founded in 1995 to provide knowledge and skills to needy youth, women, and children for improved livelihoods. The organisation is operating two vocational schools for youth and farmers.
