Case stories on capacity development and sustainable results

UGANDA37UGANDA – Using multi-stakeholderprocesses for capacity developmentin an agricultural value chainContextThe vegetable oilseed sub-sector is oneof seven strategic areas selected by theUgandan Government’s Poverty EradicationAction Plan. Oilseeds accountfor over 60 percent of the country’s vegetableoil production, and directly affectthe livelihoods of over 12 million Ugandans.However, production cannot meetdomestic demand: around 6o percent ofthe vegetable oil consumed in Uganda isimported as crude palm oil and blendedwith locally produced sunflower oil.Multi-stakeholder platforms are a key vehiclefor building capacities in the valuechain. They promote shared understanding,collaboration, and innovation. Thisintervention focused on establishing effectivenational and regional platforms, whilestrengthening the capacities of specificactors. The platforms engage producer organizations,small-, mid- and large-sizedprocessors, input suppliers, traders andwarehouse owners, government agencies,research organizations, higher learninginstitutions , financial institutions, businessdevelopment service providers, anddevelopment organizations.Development resultsDialogue and concerted action broughtgreater efficiency throughout the valuechain and within four years there weresignificant gains, not just in engagingfarmers, but also in production, productivity,and farmers’ incomes. Sunflowerbecame the leading raw material for edibleoil processing in Uganda and therewas substantial import substitution ofpalm oils. All this is currently helpingthe country to save some $100 million peryear. Sesame and maize oil productionhas also increased.As a result of increased interaction betweenactors in the value chain, severalinput suppliers collaborated to make betterseed varieties available to farmers.ResultsSunflower became the leading raw material foredible oil processing in Uganda.The country is saving some $100 million per yearin import substitution of palm oils.Input suppliers have made better seed varietiesavailable to farmers.Better harvest collection practices broughtefficiency gains to both farmers and processors.A rural market information system empoweredfarmers.Banks created new financial products forsmall farmers, and a number of actors joinedto successfully advocate for more conducivegovernment policies and financing for the subsector.