In a bid to combat food insecurity and poverty, Caritas Nebbi Catholic Diocese embarked on a transformative journey spanning over 60 kilometers from Nebbi Municipality to Zombo District. Their mission? To empower hundreds of farmers through the Food Income and Livelihood Programme.
Caritas Nebbi, known for its commitment to socio-economic development, is a relief and development agency under the Catholic Church. Recognizing the persistent challenges of food insecurity and poverty faced by many households, particularly in areas like Atyak Sub County, Caritas Nebbi initiated a year-long project aimed at addressing these pressing issues.
At the heart of the project were interventions targeting food production, market access, nutrition, environmental conservation, sanitation, and advocacy. Over five years, the project reached 4,000 farmers across Atyak and Jangokoro Sub-counties in Zombo District, as well as Panyimur Town Council and Rigbo Sub-County in Pakwach and Madi Okolo Districts, respectively.
Funded by Caritas Norway, the project utilized farmer groups as platforms for support and information dissemination. Through capacity building, training, mentorships, and demonstration gardens, farmers were equipped with new skills and technologies to enhance their agricultural practices.
The impact of the project is evident in the stories of farmers like Adubango Margret Wanok and Jeneroza Olyera. Adubango, once reliant on traditional farming methods and struggling to find markets for her produce, saw a significant transformation after joining a Caritas Nebbi farmer group. With newfound skills and support, she diversified her farming activities, invested in livestock rearing, and even constructed storage facilities. Similarly, Jeneroza Olyera, through the project, ventured into modern kitchen gardening, leading to remarkable improvements in her standard of living.
The success stories extend beyond individual farmers to entire communities. Caritas Nebbi’s interventions not only boosted food production but also addressed longstanding challenges such as environmental degradation, lack of market access, and poor sanitation.
Emmanuel Oyirwoth, a field extension worker with Caritas Nebbi, highlighted the project’s multifaceted approach in tackling poverty and hunger. By promoting climate-smart agriculture, sustainable farming methods, and market access, the project achieved its goal of improving food security and livelihoods among smallholder farmers.
In another initiative funded by German Bread for the World, Caritas Nebbi empowered 750 households in Nebbi District through training and mentorship on agricultural production and marketing. Farmers like Moris Okecha, Chairperson of the Nziri West Youth Group, have seen remarkable progress, with increased incomes and diversified livelihoods.
Through these concerted efforts, Caritas Nebbi is not only transforming agricultural production but also uplifting rural livelihoods and contributing to the long-term goal of food security in Uganda. As the region continues to grapple with food insecurity, initiatives like these offer hope for a brighter and more resilient future.
