Uganda Rubanda
$39,206 needed of $85,022
Implementing Organization
World Renew
Program Summary
The Nyamweru and Bubaare sub-counties of Rubanda district are prone to severe soil erosion, landslides, and persistent food shortages. Households typically face six months of food insufficiency annually due to limited skills in sustainable farming, poor access to quality seeds, few livelihood options, and high pest and disease pressure.
The the program’s Farmer Field School approach, farmers are practicing new techniques on individual plots rather than central demonstration gardens, encouraging greater adoption. Training topics include conservation agriculture to improve soil moisture, fertility, pest and disease control, and water management; improved agronomic practices like correct spacing, timely weeding, pest scouting, and post-harvest handling; environmental conservation focusing on hillside terracing and tree cover restoration; and livestock husbandry to diversify and increase food and income sources.
Agricultural training takes place directly in farmers’ gardens, supported by broad communication strategies such as FM radio broadcasts, mobile public address systems, and farmer testimonials during radio shows to promote peer learning and wider message dissemination. Community Extension Volunteers (CEVs) and church leaders receive priority training to cascade knowledge and provide ongoing community support beyond the program’s duration.
The program also provides quality inputs, including seeds, tree seedlings, breeding livestock (bucks and rabbits), and sprayers, alongside training in agronomic practices and safe chemical use to boost production, nutrition, and income.
Improved Eyesight- Uganda Rubanda Program
The Impact of Improved Agricultural Practices - Uganda Rubanda Program
Raising Rabbits - Uganda Rubanda Program
Success Stories
Renewed Confidence in Potato Farming
Justine and her husband have six sons and one daughter. Justine depends on farming to support her household and pay her kids’ school fees.
She recalls a time not too long ago when she spent $59 on a sack of seed potatoes for her 40 x 60 meter plot. “I planted Irish potatoes without manure, and they all dried. I harvested nothing,” said Justine. This experience discouraged her from continuing Irish potato production.
That is, until she was able to attend training offered by local partner Pentecostal Assemblies of God Kigezi Ankole Pastorate (PAG-KAP). There she learned the importance of soil fertility management.
Putting this new knowledge into practice, she planted Irish potatoes again, this time using compost manure at planting and spraying with liquid manure to control pests. She planted just 130 seed potatoes on the same plot of land. This time, she was happy to have a good harvest of 600 kilograms, including small and big potatoes.
From the harvest, Justine sold three sacks at for $105 each, which helped her pay for her children’s school fees. She kept one sack for her family to eat and two to save as seed for the next planting season.
“Using compost manure and liquid manure made a big difference. I was able to sell, eat with my family, and save seed,” she explained. Because of this success, Justine has regained confidence in Irish potato farming. “I had stopped growing Irish potatoes, but because of these results, I am encouraged to continue growing Irish potatoes again,” she said.
Uganda Rubanda is led by World Renew and local partner Pentecostal Assemblies of God Kigezi Ankole Pastorate