SAMPAUL NAKHAIMA
Following the unresolved challenges that small and medium commercial farmers face, especially access to credit, the United Nations Capital Development Fund has pledged to support to Agricultural Revitalisation and Transformation Facility (START) to help such farmers in Northern Uganda access affordable medium term finances.
The financing will be in form of providing business development services and seed capital in form of concessional loans, grants and partial guarantees. The facility is Shs 603 billion.
Several interventions have been made by both government and different development partners to transform the agriculture sector into one that can contribute to the country’s economic growth and improve on people’s livelihoods through increased income.
Unfortunately, not much has been achieved yet.
This time, the United Nations Capital Development fund, together with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Uganda Development Bank have received support worth Shs 603 billion from the European Union to support farmers in Northern Uganda.
Farmers from 33 districts in Northern Uganda will benefit from this funding. These include Abim, Kabong, Lamwo, Amoro, Amuria, Adjuman and Maracha among other districts.
These services will be accessed through application and already the call for proposals has been issued for small and medium enterprises from the 33 districts.
