By KT Reporter
A total of 163 farmer groups in Amolatar District are beneficiaries of the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP) grant scheme. UCSATP is a six-year project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and its agencies. It aims to increase productivity, market access, and resilience of selected value chains in the project area, while promoting climate-smart technologies.
The project is being implemented in 69 targeted districts across 13 agro-ecological zones in Uganda, including seven refugee-hosting districts. The selected districts were identified based on the climate change vulnerability of their watersheds, poverty levels at the sub-regional level, and levels of watershed degradation.
Amolatar is one of the implementing districts. Kioga Bridge Group Farm, located in Alemere Bung Cell, is one of the project’s beneficiaries. Formed in 2023 as a small-scale piggery business, the group ventured into Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming after receiving the UCSATP grant. BSF is one of the four value chains supported under the project.
Denis Ojwang, the group’s General Secretary, explained that the BSF is a sustainable protein source for livestock feed and is helping in managing organic waste. “BSF converts organic waste into high-protein larvae which help decrease dependence on expensive commercial feeds while also reducing environmental pollution which is very good for us.”
Dulson Okello, Amolatar District’s Senior Entomologist, explained that UCSATP is distinct from the Parish Development Model (PDM) because of its co-funding structure and climate-focused objectives. He, however, tasked agricultural extension workers to identify and recommend more groups that stand to benefit from the project.
“There are people who have cattle so they will not start from zero, they already have something. This one is for the people who benefitted from PDM and have ‘moved a bit,’ not for starters so as you go back meet up with group members who you think can do well and then share the information with the other members later.”
Immaculate Apio, the Community Development Officer for Amolatar Town Council, commended the advancements at Kioga Bridge, noting that their current success in piggery made the integration of BSF a sensible progression.
Adding that, “My request is that basing on the small demonstration we have seen from here, government is bringing support in terms of money but it will not be given to individuals and that is why we should mobilize ourselves in groups so that we benefit from this project.”
On Wednesday, the UCSATP team, including senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), visited Amolatar to evaluate the farm’s implementation of climate-resilient practices, particularly piggery and Black Soldier Fly rearing.
During the visit, the team emphasized the need for structural reforms for the farm to remain eligible for further support. Senior Entomologist Hussein Ssebagala encouraged the group to reorganize its membership and adhere to the project’s operational guidelines-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
