Agricultural Social Enterprises

Empowering Women Through Rice Growing and Value Addition in Eastern and Westnile Regions

Executive Summary

Women Grow Uganda (WGU) is committed to empowering rural women through sustainable agriculture and income-generating activities. Over the past few years, rice farming has become the main income-generating activity for the organization, along with other initiatives such as facilitating Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), conducting farm demonstrations, and promoting the cultivation of soybeans, sesame (simsim), and groundnuts. Recently, WGU has ventured into the coffee value chain.

This project aims to mobilize over 100 women’s groups from subsistence agriculture to large-scale rice production for food security, local consumption, and export. The project will focus on maximizing rice production from a 12 to 30-hectare section of a 500-acre farm in Bunyarezi Village, Bulambuli District, and will include rice processing through a local processing plant to add value and reduce production costs for the farmers. This project will improve food security, reduce poverty, and enhance women’s economic empowerment.

Background Information

The project is situated along Bulambuli Moroto Road in Bunyarezi Village, Great Bulwanga, Burukuya Parish, Bunambutye Sub County, Bulambuli District. The location is strategic because it is accessible via the OPM-established resettlement camp for populations displaced by mudslides in Bududa. Over the past three years, WGU has successfully cultivated high-yield rice varieties, which are harvested, dried, hulled, bagged, and sold to traders and schools.

Rice is a high-demand crop in Uganda and neighboring countries, with Karamoja Region, in particular, having limited food production. WGU is well-positioned to supply rice to this area due to the proximity to the region, enhancing food security while promoting women’s economic independence.

However, one of the challenges facing the project is the high cost of processing, as the raw rice is currently transported to Jinja for milling. WGU envisions setting up a rice processing plant within the project area to address this challenge, reduce processing costs, and add value to their products.

Project Objectives

• Main Objective: To empower women in Bulambuli District through large-scale rice production, value addition, and sustainable agricultural practices.

• Specific Objectives:

  • To mobilize over 100 women’s groups into large-scale rice production for both food security and commercial purposes.
  • To reduce the cost of rice production by establishing a local rice processing plant.
  • To enhance women’s participation in the rice value chain, from planting to marketing and processing.
  • To increase income levels and food security for rural women and their families.
  • To improve market access and reduce dependence on middlemen.
  • To promote value-added products through rice processing (e.g., rice flour, bran, etc.).

Target Beneficiaries

• Primary Beneficiaries: 100+ women’s groups from Bulambuli District engaged in subsistence farming, including women from rural households, who will benefit from training, access to quality rice seeds, and markets for their produce.
• Secondary Beneficiaries: Community members, schools, and traders who will gain access to affordable rice, and neighboring districts like Karamoja that will benefit from the project’s food security initiative.

Project Activities

Mobilization and Training:

Mobilize over 100 women’s groups to engage in large-scale rice production.

Provide training in best practices for rice cultivation, pest management, soil fertility, and water management.

• Rice Farming Expansion:

  • Expand rice farming from the current 12-30 hectares on the 500-acre land.
  • Introduce high-yield rice seeds and modern farming techniques to increase productivity.

• Value Addition:

  • Set up a rice processing plant within the project area to reduce transportation costs and add value to raw rice.
  • Produce value-added rice products (e.g., rice flour, rice bran, packaged rice).

• Market Access:

  • Develop a sustainable market strategy to reduce reliance on middlemen.
  • Establish direct relationships with bulk buyers, schools, and urban markets in Kampala, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, and other urban centers.

• Risk Mitigation:

  • Conduct regular market research to monitor rice pricing trends and consumer demands.
  • Explore agricultural insurance options to protect against natural disasters and price volatility.

Project Location and Access

• Location: Bunyarezi Village, Great Bulwanga, Burukuya Parish, Bunambutye Sub County, Bulambuli District, Uganda.
• Accessibility: The project is accessible via road through the OPM resettlement camp for displaced populations from Bududa, ensuring ease of transportation for both farm inputs and products.

Sustainability Plan

• Financial Sustainability: The income generated from rice sales, processing, and value-added products will fund ongoing project activities. The rice processing plant will create an additional revenue stream.
• Environmental Sustainability: The project will promote climate-smart agricultural practices, including efficient water management, crop rotation, and organic farming techniques to protect soil health.
• Social Sustainability: The project will build the capacity of women, improve their economic standing, and create opportunities for women to lead in local agricultural practices and decision-making.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitoring Tools: Monthly progress reports, field visits, and farmer surveys to track production levels, income generation, and the effectiveness of the rice processing plant.
• Evaluation: Conduct annual evaluations to assess the impact of the project on women’s economic empowerment, food security, and market access. Use feedback to adjust project activities for maximum impact.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased income for over 100 women’s groups involved in large-scale rice farming and processing.
• Establishment of a functional rice processing plant that reduces processing costs and adds value to rice products.
• Improved food security and reduced reliance on imported rice in the Karamoja Region and surrounding districts.
• Empowered women who are better equipped to lead and sustain agricultural practices in their communities.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Measures

• Market Volatility: Fluctuations in rice prices are mitigated by conducting market research, setting up direct market linkages, and reducing reliance on middlemen.
• Natural Disasters: The project will explore agricultural insurance options and train farmers on climate-resilient agricultural practices.
• Operational Risks: Building capacity in farm management, processing, and marketing to ensure smooth project execution.

Budget Estimate (Summary)

Conclusion

This project represents a significant opportunity to uplift rural women in Uganda by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and resources to move from subsistence farming to commercial rice production. By promoting value addition, improving market access, and enhancing agricultural productivity, Women Grow Uganda is paving the way for sustainable development, economic empowerment, and food security in Bulambuli District and beyond.