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Stephen and a number of fellow retirees in the village shared similar frustrations. They decided to form an association that would venture into seed potato production as a business. Stephen learned about USAID’s ACDI/VOCA volunteer program from a women’s organization in the nearby village who received support in mushroom growing and marketing. With USAID help, Stephen and the farmers created an entity registered as the Uganda National Seed Potato Producers’ Association (UNSPPA).
USAID’s program enhances food security and market-access opportunities by working with farmer-based cooperatives and smallholder associations at the grass-roots level. Agricultural production has improved from building local capacity and developing appropriate technology by using local resources.
Based on the volunteer’s advice, UNSPPA formed the Farmer’s Center to streamline the association’s operations and conduct its business. To grow its business and benefit its members, the Center trains and consults farmers, engages in potato trade, and provides competitive transport and shipping services. In this way, the member farmers earn greater net incomes.
UNSPPA is the leading grower and seller of potato seed in the region. The first communal seed harvest fetched each member $12.50. Currently, each member is able to share an equivalent of $48.50 in the first season and $33.70 in the second season. They are also currently commanding approximately 50% market share of potatoes. Arising from use of improved potato seed, production per acre of potato among the UNSPPA has increased from the original fifteen bags/acre to the current 70-100 bags/acre.
The increased production has stabilized prices and improved availability of potatoes, thus improving the community’s nutrition. Stephen now owns a house in the village and is respected as head of an organization that is conducting progressive business.
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