Refugee farmers in Kyaka II Settlement are adopting improved farming methods to increase food production and household incomes as shrinking access to land, heavy rains, pests and limited agricultural inputs threaten their livelihoods.
The farmers are receiving practical training and mentorship under the Grow Together Project, implemented by ADRA Uganda with funding from Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through ADRA Croatia.
The initiative targets 500 farmers, using locally based agricultural trainers to promote sustainable farming and income generation.
During a field visit, farmers showcased crops including watermelons, spinach, onions, tomatoes and several varieties of beans, alongside goats being reared for livestock production and income generation.
The farmers said improved crop spacing based on soil conditions had helped them manage their gardens, although heavy rainfall continued to disrupt production.
George Williams Kiberu, projects director at ADRA Uganda, said the project was designed to strengthen food security, improve farming efficiency and promote sustainable agricultural practices among refugee households.
“We are here in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement to monitor and support the Grow Together Project, whose main objective is to strengthen food security, sustainable agricultural practices and efficiency,” Kiberu said.
He said the project had recruited 50 trainers of trainers (ToTs), each responsible for training and supporting 10 households, bringing the total number of targeted beneficiaries to 500.
The trainers are focusing on high-value crops such as cabbages, tomatoes and watermelons, which can provide food and income within relatively short growing periods.
“Because the ToTs come from the local communities, coordination is easier, and farmers can readily access the guidance they need,” Kiberu said.
Martina Mihovilic Vracaric, Head of Department at Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, said the visit was intended to assess the project's progress and establish whether farmers were applying appropriate practices throughout the production cycle.
“We are here to monitor the project in the field and ensure that farming is done in the right way, from seeding to harvesting,” Vracaric said.
She added that the project encourages farmers to share knowledge and learn from one another to improve their agricultural practices.
However, land scarcity remains a major obstacle to expanding production in the settlement.
Kisamo Daniel, the Settlement Commandant of Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, said the settlement comprises 26 villages and nine zones, supported by 395 Refugee Welfare Council leaders.
He said population pressure had reduced the land available for cultivation, with each refugee allocated approximately 30 by 30 metres.
“The land allocated to each refugee is not enough. We also face challenges accessing agricultural inputs and markets, which affects farmers' ability to sustain production,” Daniel said.
He commended the project's community-based approach, saying the use of trainers of trainers enables farmers to receive regular guidance while complementing other livelihood support initiatives in the settlement.
Nkwasibwe John George, one of the trainers of trainers, said the initiative had equipped him with practical skills that he was passing on to fellow farmers.
“This project has taught us how to farm and harvest for both food and money. I have learnt how to grow tomatoes, and I am also training others to do the same,” he said.
Despite the training, farmers continue to grapple with pests, crop diseases, inadequate access to insecticides and unreliable markets.
Ndyagumisiriza Mackline, a farmer in the settlement, said these challenges affected production and farmers' ability to benefit from their harvests.
She urged farmers to harvest at the right time and adopt proper storage practices to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain the quality of their produce.
The Grow Together Project seeks to improve agricultural knowledge and productivity through practical training and community-based mentorship.
By equipping local trainers with the skills to support other households, the initiative aims to strengthen food security and income generation among refugee communities facing growing pressure on limited land and resources.