Projects Training of Trainers (ToTs) Capacity Building Program on Livestock Value Chains Development

Project Overview:
Since 2024, Hunger Relief Africa, in partnership with the Farming Academy, Denmark, is implementing the Training of Trainers (ToTs) Capacity Building Program on Livestock Value Chains Development. This initiative aims to equip trainers with modern sheep and goat rearing skills and knowledge to enhance sustainable livestock management in the food-insecure communities. The project further aligns with Hunger Relief Africa’s mission to alleviate hunger and promote food security through sustainable agricultural practices.

Project Objectives
The ToTs program is designed to:

• Train smallholder farmers in modern livestock rearing techniques
• Promote sustainable and climate-smart livestock farming
• Enhance knowledge in breeding, disease management, and value chain development among other modules.
• Improve farm productivity and market opportunities for livestock farmers in Uganda.

Scope and Approach
This pilot project trains six trainers (three male and three female) through a comprehensive program consisting of 60 online lectures with an online examination, three weeks of theoretical sessions, practical exercises , virtual farm visits, and a possibility of on-farm visit to the Danish sheep and Goats Farm.

Core training topics include:

• Sheep and goat breeds and selection
• Housing, feeding, and nutrition management
• Disease prevention and veterinary care
• Reproduction and breeding strategies
• Marketing and value chain development
• Climate-smart livestock practices

Training Format
The training is being conducted online with coordination from the Hunger Relief Africa’s headquarters in Kampala, Uganda.The selected trainees may get the opportunity to participate in hands-on field visits to Denmark to gain practical experience from the Danish Farm
Target Beneficiaries: This program benefits graduates, technical experts and experienced professionals from the fields of business management , Agriculture, Animal sciences, small holder farmers, livestock keepers, agricultural training institutions, community based organizations, government agencies and agribusiness companies.
Expected Deliverables

• Trainers will conduct three training sessions for smallholder farmers in their communities
• Trainers will conduct quarterly on-farm visits and breed assessments
• Trainers will support nutrition planning and veterinary care strategies
• Trainers will develop marketing plans for livestock products.

Impact
The Training of Trainers (ToTs) Capacity Building Program on Livestock Value Chains Development aims to improve livestock productivity, enhance food security, and increase income for smallholder farmers and livestock keepers in Uganda. The project will equip trainers with modern livestock rearing techniques, which will be cascaded to farmers, promoting improved productivity, reduced mortality rates, and increased income. The project will also promote climate-smart livestock farming practices, reducing the environmental impact of livestock production and improving the resilience of farming communities to climate change. The project's long-term impact is expected to contribute to sustainable livestock development, reducing poverty and improving livelihoods among smallholder farmers and livestock keepers. The project will also inform livestock policy development, promoting evidence-based decision-making and supporting the development of a vibrant livestock sector. Regional cooperation will be fostered, promoting the sharing of best practices and expertise in livestock development among countries in the region.

Empowering Women-headed Households and Farmer’s Groups through Commercializing Bio-fortified Maize and Soya Bean Production in Northern Uganda

Hunger Relief Africa is implementing a project in the four districts of Northern Uganda i.e. Amuru, Omoro, Gulu and Nwoya, entitled “Empowering Women-headed Households and Farmers Groups in Northern Uganda through Commercializing Bio-fortified Maize and Soya Bean Production”. Through this project, Hunger Relief Africa aimed at assisting the vulnerable women-headed households & farmer-groups with the provision of improved nutritious food and capacity building of the farming communities through its hunger relief resilience model. Implementation of Domestic Hunger Model approach tackle the key issues of food insecurity and hunger crisis including disaster risk management in the communities to ensure the sustainability of project interventions. About 1,200 rural women headed households & farmer groups, children, and older persons above 60 years facing food insecurity and hunger crisis from the four districts are benefiting from this project directly and indirectly for the next 12 months (August 2023- July 2024) of its implementation.

Among the key activities of the project is empowerment of women farmers through trainings in modern agronomic practices, resources, and access to markets. in the first phase of its implementation, we are focusing on women-headed households & farmer groups to promote gender equality and enhance their economic and social status in the rural agricultural communities. Additionally, we are making effort to establish a sustainable value chains for bio-fortified crops, thus ensuring that farmers have reliable access to markets and fair prices for their produce through creating linkages with local and regional buyers, processors, and exporters, thus enhancing market participation and income opportunities for women farmers. Furthermore; the project is strengthening the value chain, through creating a thriving market for bio fortified crops and contribute to the economic development of communities of Northern Uganda. By addressing multiple interlinked challenges faced by women-headed households & farmer groups, we shall enable them to realize their full potential as leaders, entrepreneurs, and agents of change within their own communities.

In the course of its implementation for the next 12 months from August 2023 to July 2024, the project would cost UGX 282,543,000M or USD 75,000 that is deemed sufficient to facilitate the service provisions, supply and works contracts related to the provision of agricultural inputs and training of beneficiaries. Moreover, a significant proportion of the cost estimate for technical assistance would fund capacity building of the women-headed household & farmer group activities whereby Hunger Relief Africa’s technical services and consultants would undertake essential training tasks.

We call upon all the stakeholders to join our efforts to intervene and transform our farming communities in Northern Uganda to drive food security and reduce hunger crisis in the region. Partnership, collaborations and financial assistance would help Hunger Relief Africa achieve its Vision of a Hunger Free African Communities.