Uganda – USAID PL 480 Title II Multi-Year Assistance Program

Transforming Subsistence Farmers into Viable Commercial Producers

In 2006, USAID awarded ACDI/VOCA a 5-year $74 million Title II Multi-Year Assistance Program (MYAP) in Uganda, the largest award in ACDI/VOCA history. The program reduces food insecurity and increase nutrition awareness and best practices for vulnerable populations in northern and eastern Uganda. Targeted geographic areas include the Acholi, Lango and Teso subregions and the districts of Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Budaka, Bukadea, Dokolo, Gulu, Kaibermaido, Katakwi, Kitgum, Kumi, Lira, Oyam, Pader and Soroti.

The project is an outgrowth of efforts that began in 1989 when ACDI/VOCA began managing a USAID-funded PL 480 Title II program in order to transform smallholder subsistence farmers into viable commercial producers through the introduction of modern farming techniques. Over the years, ACDI/VOCA has implemented seven other projects in Uganda and builds on its past successes through this project. Along with project partners Africare, Lutheran World Federation, The Aids Support Organization (TASO) and local nongovernmental organization (NGO) grantees, ACDI/VOCA works towards alleviating food insecurity in Uganda through two strategic project objectives:

• reduced food insecurity and increased nutrition status through the better production and use of food by smallholder farmers
• reduced food insecurity and improved nutrition for particularly vulnerable people through the distribution of supplementary food rations

Smallholder Agriculture Component

ACDI/VOCA and partners will improve food production and use for approximately 170,600 smallholder farmer beneficiaries throughout the life of project. Under ACDI/VOCA’s Grants and Development Unit (GDU), the project will award food security grants to both local NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) and will provide technical assistance and training of trainers (TOT) to local subgrantees in nutrition and hygiene, agronomic methods, post-harvest handling, group savings mobilization and management, ACDI/VOCA’s signature Farming as a Business curriculum, collective marketing and natural resource management. The grantee trainers then spread the knowledge gained from the TOT sessions to beneficiary farmers. In fiscal year 2008, 220 trainers and contact farmers from 17 subgrantees received technical training directly from ACDI/VOCA.

The core nutrition training module helps farming households make informed decisions about nutritious foods to increase the frequency and nutritional value of household meals as well as meet any special nutritional needs for household members. Subsequent trainings introduce beneficiaries to improved farming techniques, financial management guidance and simple business practices to maximize the production and marketing potential of their farms. In addition, the project strengthens community and household capacity to withstand future challenges by providing training support to farmer savings groups. By the end of fiscal year 2008, approximately 24,226 farmers, over half of whom were women, had received technical trainings to increase their food security and resiliency to future shocks. In addition, farmer groups had accumulated approximately $80,000 in group savings by the end of 2008.

Working with Africare, ACDI/VOCA improves transportation infrastructure through the rehabilitation of feeder roads to increase access to local and regional markets. The improved roads help farmers distribute their products more efficiently and provide increased access to services. Currently, approximately 22.5 km of road have been rehabilitated in Soroti District, and an additional 130 kms will be rehabilitated over the course of the project.

Food Distribution Component

ACDI/VOCA and project partner TASO provide services to approximately 42,000 beneficiaries through a food distribution program to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families. Each month, PLWHA beneficiaries in targeted areas who are TASO clients and deemed food insecure receive supplemental rations of nutritious and high-calorie corn soy blend (CSB) and vegetable oil. Food-insecure clients who are on anti-retroviral treatment are prioritized as food recipients. TASO provides complementary treatment, counseling and care to the PLWHA food aid beneficiaries. ACDI/VOCA staff arranges logistics, conducts the distributions, assures beneficiary eligibility, and monitors and evaluates the overall program. By the end of 2008, nutrient-rich rations had been distributed to 32,262 beneficiaries on a monthly basis at 45 food distribution points. In addition, in 2008 ACDI/VOCA conducted 44 cooking demonstrations at food distribution points to show beneficiaries how to incorporate CSB and vegetable oil into traditional meals.

To ensure sustainability after food distribution ends, selected PLWHA beneficiaries will be integrated into agricultural or income-generating activities conducted by the project. By integrating as many food aid beneficiaries as possible into ongoing agriculture and training activities, the food aid recipient households will be more likely to sustain long-term food security. ACDI/VOCA also plans to award small grants to local organizations and groups who will specialize in nonagricultural income-generating activities for PLWHA.

Monetization and Logistics

Monetization is the sale of donated U.S. commodities in a foreign country to generate funds for development activities. Under the PL 480 program, hard red winter wheat is sold through a competitive tendering process to local buyers. ACDI/VOCA is also the current lead partner in the Uganda umbrella monetization consortium and organizes the movement and sale of all Title II PVO monetization commodities throughout the year. The coordinated wheat sales have brought maximum proceeds for partners, minimized impact on the local market and promoted the development of local mills.

In addition to the monetization of wheat, ACDI/VOCA also manages the logistics of commodities that are distributed to program beneficiaries. This commodity is transported from ACDI/VOCA’s main warehouse in Kampala to three regional warehouses in Lira, Soroti and Gulu districts before it is taken to final distribution points for delivery to beneficiaries.

For more information, contact Ashleigh Mullinax at amullinax@acdivoca.org.

Updated: 5/09

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