This project focuses on improving and diversifying livelihoods in Amudat. Amudat District is part of the larger Karamoja region and is located in the far eastern part of Uganda, near the border with Kenya. Climate change and the extraction of natural resources such as charcoal and mining have led to land conflicts, while droughts and heavy rainfall are common and affect land productivity. In Amudat, 42% of households experience moderate to severe food insecurity. According to research, only 12% of households are certain of having enough food.
What does the project entail?
The overall objective of the project is to improve the existing livelihoods of poor rural households in Amudat, enabling them to avoid risks and increase their resilience to external influences. To achieve this, the project has two specific objectives: (1) improving production and productivity; (2) improving access to a sustainable market.
Firstly, within the project, we encourage people to engage in two highly profitable sub-sectors: beekeeping and horticulture. Since both beekeeping and horticulture are labor-intensive, project participants are initially encouraged to work together. However, the ultimate goal is for participants in these different groups to become more independent and manage their own gardens and hives, using the profits and skills acquired from the group.
The importance of sustainability
ZOA aims to ensure the sustainability of this project through:
- Our participatory and community-based approach, involving people not only in the project’s implementation but actively engaging them from the outset.
- This increases the community’s sense of ownership over the process, new knowledge, and the received materials.
- Selecting beekeepers and farmers who genuinely show interest in these sectors.
- Establishing sustainable market connections and market linkages.
- Promoting profitable businesses or Income-Generating Activities (IGAs). Both honey and horticultural products have high market potential, making them economically viable. The income they receive enables people to invest, grow, and provides them with motivation.
What does SamSam’s investment achieve?
Within this project, SamSam focuses on the irrigation of dry agricultural land. SamSam achieves this by donating a total of seven water pumps powered by solar energy. The project includes the purchase of the entire pump system, including the pump itself and the solar panels. This assistance benefits seven farmer groups, with each group consisting of approximately 20 people. This means that around 140 farmers are being helped.
“SamSam donates a total of seven water pumps powered by solar energy”