Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO)

ANNUALREPORT

2014

Improving Livelihoods through sustainable Agriculture

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS FOR DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS (VEDCO)Coordination o�cePlot 504, Block 8, Wagaba Zone, RubagaP. O. Box 1244 Kampala Tel: 256-414-270 598Email: vedco@vedco.or.ug | vedco@infocom.co.ug| Website: vedcouganda.org Facebook: Volunteer E�orts for Development Concerns – VEDCO Twitter: @VEDCOUGYoutube: vedcoug

2014 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

2. CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE

3. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

4. ABOUT VEDCO

5. WHERE VEDCO WORKS

6. INTRODUCTION

7. FOOD & NUTRITION SECURITY

8. AGRICULTURAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT

9. COMMUNITY ENERGY ACCESS

10. COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY

11. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

12. SUCCESS STORIES

13. FINANCIAL REVIEWS

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CAN-U- Climate Action Network-Uganda

CBT -Community Based Trainer

CSA -Climate Smart Agriculture

CSBAG-Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group

DDBC- Developing and Delivering Bio-forti�ed Crops in Uganda

EAETDN- East African Energy Technology Development Network

ENR-Environment and Natural Resources

FAO- Food and Agriculure orgniation

FARMIS- Farmer Record Management Information system

FFS- Farmer Field Schools

GALS- Gender Action Learning Systems

MAAIF- Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries

NAADS- National Agricultural Advisory Services

OSP- Orange sweet potato

PELUM-Participatory Ecological Land Use Management

SEATINI- Southern and Eastern African Trade Information & Negotiations Institute

UCCOSUN- Uganda Civil society Coalition on Scaling Up Nutrition

UDN- Uganda Debt Network

UFAAS- Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services

UFCVP- Uganda Farmers’ Common Voice Platform

ULA-Uganda Land Alliance

UNAP- Uganda Nutrition Action Plan

UNDP- United Nations Development Programme

UNNGOF- National Non-Governmental Organisation Forum

UPHEWG- Uganda Population, Health and Environment Working Group

VAT- Value Added Tax

VEDCO Volunteer E�orts for Development Concerns

WASH -Water,Sanitation and Hygiene

WHO- World Health Organisation

WWW- World Wide Web

ICN2- International Conference on Nutrition

NSA- Non State Actors

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2014 Annual Report

BOARD CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

On behalf of VEDCO Board of Directors, let me extend my heartfelt appreciation to all our partners, donors and various stakeholders that have supported us in our e�orts to improving the livelihood of our bene�ciary communities in our di�erent areas of operation.

2014 has been a year of achievements amidst some challenges. It has seen VEDCO conclude its �ve year strategic plan which ran from 2010-2014. It has also seen two of our fellow members; Mr. Moses Kazibwe Kawumi and Mr. Richard Mutebi retire from the Board. Words can’t express how grateful we are for their tremendous e�orts towards the institution. They were replaced by Ms.Meya Sayson Rossette and Prof.John H.Muyonga.I welcome them to VEDCO family.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in the socioeconomic development of any country. Malnutrition accounts for about 35 percent of deaths among children under 5 years old around the world.Stunting,severe wasting and intrauterine growth retardation are the major contributors to child mortality, accounting for about 2 million deaths annually. Uganda’s most common malnutrition problems are high rates of chronic malnutrition and micronutrient de�ciencies, especially of vitamin A and Iron. In Uganda, malnutrition in all its forms remains largely a “hidden problem.”

During the year 2014, The Rome Declaration on Nutrition and the Framework for Action on Nutrition were adopted by Ministers from 193 countries and Representatives of the Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) during the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) held in Rome, Italy. I welcome this new development. VEDCO’s new programme thematic areas (food & nutrition security,agricultural trade & development,climate change & natural resource management,policy research & advocacy,institutional development) gives us con�dence that we too are in good position to make remarkable contribution towards endingglobal hunger & malnutrition. I call upon Government of Uganda to live up to its Rome Declaration commitments.

As board members we pledge to continue ful�lling our duty of providing the over site and leadership necessary for successful functioning and continuity of VEDCO.

For God and my Country.

Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

The year 2014 marked the end of our strategic plan for the period 2010-2014.Looking back on that period, I can boldly state that VEDCO has registered tremendous success in implementing projects that promote equitable and sustainable wealth creation among farmers. 86.4% of our target farmers increased their production as a result of adoption of high productive crops and animal enterprises. We managed to increase the number of farmers participating in value chain processes of the various commodities in which they are engaged. Women& men farmers’ participation in decision making processes at di�erent governance levels (sub county and district) also increased.

In 2014, VEDCO together with like-mindedCSOs under the Civil Society Advocacy Group (CSBAG) launched a key campaign against Government’s proposal of imposing taxes on agro inputs. The campaign collected over 1 million petition signatures mainly from farmers which we later on submitted to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga. With support from some of our MPs, the proposals were rejected and not put into law. This campaign was in line with VEDCO’s commitment to developing and implementing pro-agriculture advocacy campaigns on issues that a�ect production and marketing.

I strongly believe that agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy and agriculture extension is the backbone of agriculture. Through collaboration with our partners, we organised three Colloquiums on agricultural extension reforms in Uganda. We are optimistic that the views and opinions generated in the colloquiums will guide the Government of Uganda as it undertakes reforms in agricultural extension.

As we commence the new strategic plan period, we pledge to continue integrating the Climate- Smart Agricultural approach in all our engagements with farmers.

My special appreciation goes out to all VEDCO sta�, Board, Donors, partners and Government of Uganda for working together with us to see that we ful�ll our mission. I therefore with great pleasure present to you the VEDCO annual report 2014.

Mr. Bbemba Joseph

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2014 Annual Report

VISION

MISSION

Improved quality of life of small and medium holder farmers

To equitably empower small and medium holder farmers for food security and nutrition security, agricultural trade and organizational development.

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VALUESResult oriented: VEDCO believes in its sta� giving out quality results as output/outcome or a service in all its engagements with its partnerships.

Equal opportunity: VEDCO believes in supporting the agricultural entrepreneurship development through empowering the small and medium poor farmers of Uganda and their institutions to take lead. In this, VEDCO aims at creating an enabling and just environment for them where mutual respect and equal opportunity will exists among all including its sta�. We work with individuals who are personally concerned about issues of inequality and injustice and �nd allies within and without the agency to join them in this quest.

Teamwork: VEDCO empowers sta� members to have the space and con�dence to use initiative and act boldly from an understanding of their vision, mission, values and working as a team to full �ll her mandate.

Excellence: Every one’s behaviour in the organisation is expected to meet VEDCO’S Agreed Standard.

Transparency and accountability: VEDCO maintains the highest levels of integrity and consistency in her work to provide con�dence to our donors and supporters who are essential in the realization of our Vision.

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WHERE VEDCO WORKS

KEYNo. District1 Agago2 Alebtong3 Amuria4 Apac5 Buikwe6 Buyende7 Kamuli8 Kole9 Lira10 Luweero11 Moyo12 Mukono13 Nakaseke14 Nakasongola15 Otuke16 Pader17 Rubirirzi18 Yumbe19 Kampala20 Oyam21 Wakiso

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INTRODUCTIONThe 2014 annual report highlights key interventions that guided VEDCO to the conclusion of the 2010-2014 strategic plan implementation process. It further enumerates the outcomes registered from these interventions as manifested from di�erent stakeholders and how these outcomes contributed to VEDCO’s overall mission of equitably empowering small and medium holder farmers for food security and nutrition security, agricultural trade and organizational development. It also highlights VEDCO’s growth which is increased food and nutrition security among farmers, growth of VEDCO’s �nancial and sta� capacity and increased participation of women and men farmers in decision making processes at di�erent Governance levels.

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2014 Annual Report

FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY

Enhancing farmer’s access to high quality agricultural inputs

Use of quality and improved agricultural inputs is vital for improved productivity and pro�tability of farming. Unfortunately access to inputs still remains a big constraint to most farmers in Uganda. In order to address this concern, during the year VEDCO distributed improved planting materials which mature early, give high yield and are disease resistant to 14,998 farmers of which 10,323 (64.7%) were female and 4,545 (35.2%) were male. VEDCO also strengthened linkages with research institutions, seed companies and community seed multipliers to access improved planting materials and relevant information about agronomy, disease and pest prevalence and control.

Promoting the Climate Smart agriculture approach

Farmers in Apac District setting o� to their homes after recieving farm inputs from VEDCO.

A community tree nursery in Apac district.

The strategic objective of this thematic area is to increase access to appropriate knowledge and technology relevant for sustainable food production and equitable utilisation.

Food and Agriculure orgniation (FAO) coined the term,”Climate Smart Agriculture(CSA)” in the background document prepeared for the 2010 Hague Conference on Food Security,Agriulture and Climate Change. VEDCO promoted CSA farming techniques in order to help increase farm productivity,incomes of farmers and make agriculture more resilient to climate change,while also contributing to climate change adaptation. We empowered farmers in Kamuli district with knowledge on tree nursery establishment and management. As a result,13 multpurpose tree nurseries were estblished.In Apac district,a total of 143 farmers (110 male and 33 female) adopted tree planting on their farms. VEDCO strongly a�rms that achieving food security and responding to the challenges of climate change are two goals that must be achieved together.

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Using community Based trainers (CBTs) to enhance farmers access to extension services

them promote the production and utilization of Orange Sweet Potato (OSP) and High Iron Beans. 36 CBT trainings in agronomy and nutrition for OSP and High iron beans were also conducted. The CBTs used the knowledge and skills acquired to train 2,254 (604 Male, 1650 Female) direct households. 88.7% of the farmers who received training planted OSP and High Iron Beans using the knowledge and skills acquired. 1 refresher training for CBTs in Apac District was conducted. Their knowledge on farming as business, marketing & negotiation processes, SACCO establishment and development, farmer �eld school concept, and basics of teaching &extension methods was enhanced. In addition, 12 CBTs were trained in Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) methodology in Kamuli District.

CBTs are farmers identi�ed from VEDCO farmer supported groups.They are trained and facilitated by VEDCO to reach out to fellow farmers.Over the years,VEDCO has embraced the fact that access to extension services is key to boosting agricultural production.CBTs are used as a back up to our already existing Institutional agricultural extension system.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

VEDCCO subscribes to the strategy that food security challenges can’t be met until safe drinking water,sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

One of the tree nurseries established.

VEDCO CBTs training farmers using illustrations.

During the year,VEDCO recruited 40 new CBTs (19 Male, 21 Female) to o�er extension services. They were speci�cally assigned to work under the Developing and Delivering Bio-forti�ed crops in Uganda (DDBC) project implemented by VEDCO in Mukono in partnership with HarvestPlus. They were later on supported with bicycles to help

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A pit latrine at Namasagali Primary school in Kamuli District. It was constructed with funding from Iowa State University USA in Partnership with VEDCO and the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga.

A tippy tap is a simple and hygienic device to wash hands with soap most especially for those in rural areas.

Some of the sta� of VEDCO Mukono o�ce and members of the Mukono District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) pose for a photo after the its launch on 23/June/2014.VEDCO is part of the committee as a Civil society representative.

Drying rack for dishes.

are available in farming communities.Even when food is available,most households cant a�ord to buy it when most of their income is spent securing water for their families.When household or to say speci�cally women spend much of their time collecing water or caring for family members made sick by contamitated water,they lose opportunites to participate in income generating activities hence decreaing their abilities to purchase nutritious food.

It is this strategy that drove us to passionately conduct 78 sanitation and hygiene trainings to our target farmers, teaching them about the importance of establishing rubbish pits, pit latrines, tippy taps and drying rack for dishes. 129 pupils (64 female, 65 male) from 4 schools in Kamuli district were trained. This resulted into establishment of latrines and tippy taps at these schools. With support from Iowa State University USA, 2 boreholes were drilled in Kamuli District.

Farmer Field Schools (FFS)

29 crop based Farmer Field Schools (FFS)/learning Centre’s were established in Amuria and Apac District with the intention of helping our target farmers learn how to manage their soils better plus integrated disease and pest management practices. VEDCO adopted the FFS concept which states that farmers learn optimally from �eld observation and experimentation.

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AGRICULTURAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Improving farmers’ access to market information

In a bid to VEDCO to Improve farmers’ access to market information, VEDCO adopted Farmer Record Management Information system (FARMIS) an online & mobile phone based agribusiness enterprise tool from FIT Uganda. FARMIS provides current market information throughout major local, national, regional and international markets. It keeps a database of all genuine input suppliers in the country complete with contact addresses and current input prices across East Africa. It also helps farmers capture their farm activity records in order to enhance informed decision making. From 8th-9th July 2014, 50 VEDCO sta� and 15 representatives from farmer groups attended a two day orientation training on how to use & subscribe to FARMIS.After the training, over 500 farmers from VEDCO’s

areas of operation received market information on a weekly basis.

With Support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), linkages to more localized market information services provider like Agrinet Uganda Ltd and use of Local radio stations such as Luo FM in Pader district, Voice of Lango FM in Lira District, Mega FM in Gulu District, Nenah FM in Eastern Uganda, plus all Karamoja FM radio stations was also done.In addition, 35 VEDCO supported farmers groups in Apac District ,24 in Kamuli and Lira District were able to access market information from community information boards.

Improving value addition

Adding value to agricultural products is a worthwhile endeavor because of the higher returns that come with the investment.Value addition gives farmers an opportunity to transform un-pro�table farm produce into pro�able ones.In this regard, 950 farmers in Lira District were supported with 950 tarpaulins,60

The strategic objective of this thematic area is to increase farmers access to local, national, regional and international markets for priority products for female and male farmers.

VEDCO sta�,farmers & workshop facilitators in a group photo after the training.

A community information board in Lira district set up by VEDCO in Partnership with Plan Uganda.

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hand maize shellers, 1 maize mill,while 20 Producer Marketing Groups were supported with 20 weighing scales and 2 moisture meters.

In Apac District,5 marketing associations were given 20 sieving equipments and 20 improved granaries.Two community stores supporting a total of 330 farmers (216 female and 114 male) from Apire and Akere farmers’ associations based in Apac district were constructed. Furthermore, 2,568 farmers (880 Male 1,688 Femle) were trained in Post harvest handling. This initiative contributed to 75% reduction in post harvest losses for maize, sun�ower, rice and soya bean,improved quality and pro�tability of marketable produce and increased the volumes of produce collectively bulked and sold.

In Amuria District, 2 marketing associations were supported with 2 grinding mills for cassava.

Value Chain Development for improved farmer incomes

Maize threshing technology for improved value addition.

VEDCO project extension o�cer getting ready to set o� to distribute tarpaulins to farmers in Lira district.

The Value Chain.

VEDCO played a key role in value chain development as afacilitator and mediator between stakeholders.Inclusion of small and medium holder farmers in agricultural value chains enabled them to sell more products at higher prices hence increasing their incomes.

In Amuria, Apac and Moyo districts, VEDCO facilitated 15 Value chain actors meetings between small and medium holder farmers producing soybean, sun�ower, cassava, simsim and their buyers who included abattoirs in Mbale & Soroti for cattle, Mukwano for sun�ower & soybean and Olam Enterprises for simsim. 18 famer groups sold their products to buyers as a result of the linkages. Our belief is that successful value chains involve collaboration between all actors of the chain. VEDCO created an environment that fostered target farmers and produce buyers to work together to ensure the right quantities at the right time, meet consumer needs and minimize cost.

On agricultural value chain �nancing, VEDCO linked farmers in Lira, Apac district and Karamoja region to �nancial institutions which included DFCU bank and Centenary Banks to help them meet their needs as chain actors.

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COMMUNITY ENERGY ACCESS

Energy saving stoves

Traditional stoves require large amounts of wood which has led to deforestation in Uganda. They subject its users who are mainly women to dangerous smoke and fumes.

As a strategy to improve conservation and women’s health, VEDCO distributed 187

The strategic objective of this thematic area is to increase equitable and sustainable access to household energy services for improved farmers livelihoods.

energy saving stoves to 187 households (107 female and 80 male).

Unlike the traditional stoves, the energy saving stove provides a low rate of heat loss, reducing the amount of wood needed to fuel them. This lifts the burden o� women and girls to collect or pay for expensive �rewood, saves times and cooks food much faster.

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COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY

Advocacy for a comprehensive & inclusive agriculture extension system in Uganda

In 2014, the Government of Uganda through its line Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries undertook reforms in agricultural Extension. The major aim of the process was to underscore the role of agricultural Extension in national development, food security, rural transformation and poverty reduction. Speci�cally the reforms aimed at streamlining the service delivery mechanisms, appropriate institutional framework and establishment of guidelines and procedures for e�cient and e�ective service delivery.

In light of the above,VEDCO in collaboration with Food Rights Alliance (FRA), Eastern

The strategic objective of this thematic area is to upscale female and male farmers e�ective participation in policy processes on issues a�ecting agricultural production and marketing at all levels.

and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF) and the None State Actors (NSA) Working group on Inclusive Agricultural Extension Systems in Uganda comprised of, Action Aid, UFAAS, AFAAS, UDN, CSBAG, PELUM, SEATINI, CARITAS, DRT, Self Help-U, UNNGOF, WRLM among others, organised 3 colloquiums on agricultural extension reforms with the objective of providing a platform for key stakeholders to share,discuss and propose an e�ective institutional structure for agricultural extension service delivery,providing space for key stakeholders to re�ect with critical scrutiny the proposed reforms and their implementation and assessing the role of private sector in delivery of e�ective and e�cient agricultural extension services.

In attendance was The Honorable Minister for Agriculture Tress Buccyanandi. During his presentaton,he responded to concerns raised from the overview of the campaign and Hon. Tress Bucyanayandi (MP), Minister of

Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) making a presentation during the 2nd colloquium.

VEDCO Executive Director Bbemba Joseph brie�ng journalists during the 3rd Colloquium.

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assured the participants that Uganda was food secure. Other notable participants included Executive Directors of NGOs, representatives of development partners and media. A total of 157 participants attended the colloquiums.The views and opinions generated will guide Government of Uganda as it undertakes reforms in agricultural extension.

Participation in the 1 million signature campaign against taxes on agriculture inputs

After Minister of Finance had revealed during the budget reading that there would be removal of tax exemptions on agro-inputs, on 27th July 2014 VEDCO together with fellow member organizations under Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) launched a campaign to gather 1 million signatures mainly from farmers for the petition to be submitted to the Speaker of Parliament to drop the tax proposal on agriculture inputs.

The campaign was a success because on

24th September 2014, Parliament passed the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill 2014 with amendments, taking into consideration recommendations from both the �nance and agriculture committees of parliament. Both Committees proposed that 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) on agricultural inputs and equipment be scrapped for FY 2014/15 until the Agricultural sector attains full modernization indicators to sustain itself.

Building and strengthening strategic alliances

During the year, VEDCO’s presence in coalitions, alliances, networks at local, national and global levels remained vibrant. They include the following;

Climate Action Network-Uganda (CAN-U) on issues of Climate Change Adaptation.

Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) on issues of increasing budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector.

Uganda Farmers’ Common Voice Platform (UFCVP) on issues of agricultural �nancing.

Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) on issues of agricultural extension.

Food Rights Alliance (FRA) was engaged on the “right to food” advocacy issues.

East African Energy Technology Development Network (EAETDN) was engaged on the “Sustainable Energy for All” advocacy issues.

Uganda Land Alliance (ULA) on advocacy issues related to land Access, control and management.

Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) on sustainable

CSBAG Cordinator Julius Mukunda handing over the 1 million signatures to The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga. Photo credit: CSBAG

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agriculture principles and practices, and agricultural market access.

Uganda Population, Health and Environment Working Group (UPHEWG) engaged on issues of access to reproductive health within farming communities.

Uganda Civil society Coalition on Scaling Up Nutrition (UCCOSUN) was engaged on advocacy issues on nutrition and its related institutionalization.

The Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) CSO Network hosted by Environment Alert on issues to do with tracking progress in the performance of the ENR subsector.

In addition to being members in the above networks, VEDCO is on the steering committees/ boards of; CAN-U, UFCVP, UFAAS, FRA and PELUM.

Dynamic online presence

VEDCO website: VEDCO website was one of our most important information sharing platforms. VEDCO maintained

an active and up-to-date dynamic website www.vedcouganda.org. Over 50 news stories, 20 publications and 3 documentaries were uploaded on the website. They were downloaded thousands of times by users not only from Uganda but also globally. The website received 478,462 hits and 408,515 page visits in 2014.

A VEDCO sta� explains to a show goer about the Orange Sweet Potato variety during the 22nd source of the Nile National Agricultural & Trade Show at Jinja show ground.

VEDCO Website

VEDCO’s facebook page

Interactive Social Media Platforms: Our Facebook Page Volunteer E�orts for Development Concerns - VEDCO generated over 300 likes and received over 1,000 page views per month. VEDCO engaged its online followers in various discussions on topics like agricultural extension reforms, National budget allocations to agriculture and many more. Prizes were given to some of our followers who participated the most during the discussions.

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Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Pictorial manual

VEDCO Quarterly Newsletter April-June 2014

VEDCO Quarterly Newsletter July-September 2014

VEDCO Annual report 2013

Documentaries

“From Despair to Hope,” a video documentary about VEDCO’s project activities & success stories in Pader District in partnership with Heifar Uganda and with funding from Comic relief was produced. Over 100 Copies were shared with stakeholders. The documentary was also uploaded on VEDCO’s video �le sharing YouTube account https://www.youtube.com/user/vedcoug

Media relations

VEDCO further intensi�ed the use of newspapers, radio and TV to reach out to large audiences. As a result,over50 radio talk shows and 151 spot messages were run by VEDCO on variousradio stations in di�erent parts of Uganda. They included Suubi FM, RadioSapientia, Namirembe FM, Luo FM, Voice of Lango FM, Mega FM, Nenah FM and Kamuli Broadcasting Services (KBS).

More than 50 news stories about VEDCOs work appeared in various local print media like New vision, Monitor. We made over 10 appearances on TV talk shows on WBS TV and Top TV.

Publications

VEDCO documented her work by producing 3 quarterly newsletters for the period April-June, July-September, and October-December 2014.We also published the VEDCO 2013 Annual report, 1 calendar, 1 project evaluation brief on poverty alleviation through commercialization of Agriculture: Phase 2 among many others. All our publications were uploaded on the VEDCO website and were downloaded byover 3,000 visitors.

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A group photo of some of the invited guests, VEDCO sta� and board members

2014 Annual Report

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Governance

VEDCO welcomed two experts Prof.John H Muyonga &Ms. Meya Sayson Rossette to her 8 member board. They were appointed

Moses Kazibwe Kawumi and Mr. Richard Mutebi who retired from the board in 2014.The Announcement was made by VEDCO Board Chairman Dr.Livingstone Sewanyana

meeting held on 12/December/2014.They were to join members Dr.Livingstone Sewanyana, Dr.May Sengendo, Dr.Daniel Babikwa, Ms.Jane Nalunga, Ms.Rose Mary Nakauka and VEDCO Executive Director Mr. Bbemba Joseph. 4 board meetings were held during the year.

The strategic objective of this thematic area is to strengthen VEDCO

Highlights of the new VEDCO Strategic Plan 2015-2019

attended a 3 day residential strategic planning meeting in Entebbe from 26-28th August 2014. The workshop aimed at introducing stakeholders to the Strategic planning process, reviewing the 2010-2014 VEDCO

of its implementation and embarking on

2019. To achieve its mission during the period,

thematic areas;

Food and Nutrition SecurityAgriculture Trade and DevelopmentClimate change and Natural Resource Management

VEDCO Board Chairman Dr.Livingstone Sewanyana (right) handing over a welcome gift to new Board member Ms Meya Sayson Rossette (left) during the VEDCO Annual

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Policy Research and AdvocacyInstitutional Development.

in their initiatives. In all its programming, VEDCO contributed to this policy through mainstreaming gender in all its initiatives using the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology. Throughout the year, GALS was mainly spearheaded in Apac & Moyo District. GALS comprises of a series of tools that enable household members to negotiate their needs and interests and �nd innovative, gender-equitable solutions in livelihoods planning and value chain development.

VEDCO sta� doing a group assignment during the three day strategic plan meeting.

A member of a farmer group in moyo presenting their group’s vision using the GALS visioning tool.

Mr.Bbemba Joseph, Executive Director VEDCO (1st right) and Participants who attended the �nancial sustainability management training by PELUM Uganda from 29-31 July 2014.

Gender

The Government of Uganda embraced gender as a cross cutting issue in all development initiatives. The Gender policy developed in 1994 recognizes women as a vulnerable group that is marginalized due to social cultural setting and calls for all development actors to mainstream gender

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SUCCESS STORIES

She built a house with proceeds from her farm

My name is Eunice Opio. A resident of Onotpit Village, Akura Sub County, Alebtong District. I am married with 6 children, My husband’s name is Joel Opio. I have been farming since 2004 but when I joined Yikiti farmers group a few years later, my farm became more productive. This is because of the various trainings & support I got from VEDCO through our group. It is comprised mainly of women. I practice commercial farming by growing sun�ower on 5 acres and Soybean on 4 acres.

In the 1st season of last year, I harvested 20 bags of sun�ower and sold them at 2,040,000 UGX. We used part of this money to complete constructing our new home. In the second season, I harvested 10 bags also sold them. This enabled me to purchase a Solar panel which I now use to provide lighting in our home and charge our phones.

I manage the farm with my husband. He is very supportive. We diligently keep farm records because according to our trainers it will help us make informed management decisions that will help maintain and improve the farm business pro�tability. We hire laborers to work on our farm, problem is that they ask for a lot of money yet most of them are not committed.

Their new home and solar panel.Eunice Opio with her husband Joel Opio.

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lead crop. The trainings equipped me with skills and tools that helped me make sound business decisions. In the �rst season last year, I harvested 20 bags of sun�ower which I sold at 1.5 million UGX. My second lead crop is maize which takes 5 acres of my farm.

Through income generated from my farm, I have been able to pay school fees for my two children who are currently in primary school. I have also constructed a permanent 3 bed roomed house for my family.

I travel long distances looking for a maize shelling machine to hire. Shelling one bag of maize costs 25,000 UGX which is costly for me. I plan to buy one for my farm plus an Ox plough. This will help me eliminate costs involved in hiring. I will also hire them out to fellow farmers at an a�ordable fee thus increasing my source of income.

Farmer reaps from commercial farming

My name is Aucu Peter. Iam 34 years old, a resident of Oringo Munu village in Agweng Sub County, Lira District. My wife’s name is Akello Evelyn. We have 3 children. I started farming in 1999. I have 12 acres of land. I grow maize, sun�ower, soybean, rice, bananas and simsim. I manage the farm with my wife. She helps me out alot. In 2011, I joined Can mi diro farmers group. My wife also joined early last year. Our group is supported by VEDCO.

After receiving various trainings in enterprise selection from VEDCO’s Community based trainers (CBT), I chose sun�ower as my

Peter in one of his farms

SUCCESS STORIES

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2014 Annual Report

FINANCIAL REVIEWS

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2014 Annual Report

FINANCIAL REVIEWS

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VOLUNTEER EFFORTS FOR DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS (VEDCO)Plot 504, Block 8,Wagaba Zone, Rubaga

P.O. Box 1244 Kampala, Tel: 256-414-270 598Email: vedco@vedco.or.ug | vedco@infocom.co.ug|

Website: vedcouganda.orgFacebook:

Volunteer E�orts for Development Concerns – VEDCOTwitter: @VEDCOUG | Youtube: vedcoug