Dynamic Markets for Farmers - Sustainable Cocoa and Honey

The project supported smallholder farmers in the cocoa and honey value chains by facilitating their access to extension services and markets, and by enabling them to improve their knowledge and skills.
Project duration
2021 - 2024

The project

One in five Ugandans lives in extreme poverty and more than a third live on less than USD 1.90 per day. 67% of the population is employed in the agricultural sector, in which cocoa and honey have been identified as strategic national focus areas. The market potentials in these two sectors in Uganda present significant untapped opportunities as both produce do not meet market demand. The market supply gap is mainly attributed to limited access to good production practices. The project thus addressed insufficient agricultural know-how, lack of production volume and quality, and non-transparent business relations within these two value chains.

The project facilitated extension services and trainings offered to cocoa farmers and beekeepers by farmer organisations and SMEs. As a result, the farmers augmented their know-how and skills in the production of cocoa and honey, enabling them to enhance quality and achieve higher production volumes. At the same time, the farmers as members of farmer organisations were supported in selling their products. Farmer organisations gained negotiating skills, built stable relations with buyers, and developed new markets. The smallholder farmers thus generated living wages by means of the successful integration into the market system and improve their and their families’ living situation.

Furthermore, investments by public and private actors were triggered to enhance the sector coordination and development of improved standards and regulations. Specifically, the access to financial services and products was promoted for farmers to develop and grow their economic activities.

Additionally, in particular women and young adults of cocoa growing households were involved in food crop production, thereby improving not only their income but also the nutritional situation of their families.
 

Results

  • 19,902 farmers (33% women) with mature cocoa gardens gained access to extension services and the market. 59% thereof were able to increase their production and, consequently, augmented their annual income by an average of CHF 505 per farmer.
  • 6,059 women and young adults (80% women) of the above-mentioned cocoa farmers received additional training in food crop production (diversification strategy for food security).
  • 5,851 beekeepers (39% women) gained access to extension services and the market. 72% thereof were able to increase their production of honey, which resulted in an annual income increase by an average of CHF 285 per beekeeper.
  • Creation of 474 additional jobs in the cocoa sector (77 permanent and 397 seasonal) and 233 in the honey sector (73 permanent and 160 seasonal).

Partners

  • Private sector: farmers' organisations, cooperatives and companies
  • Public sector: Ministry of Agriculture, local government agencies, Uganda Export Promotion Board
  • Trade associations such as The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organization (TUNADO) and Uganda Cooperative Alliance

Financing partners

This project was financed by Linsi Foundation, Happel Foundation, City of Zurich, Medicor Foundations, canton of Baselland, among other donors. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.

News

Uganda
Sustainable agriculture
27.02.2025
From Individual Enterprise to a Thriving Agricultural Ecosystem
Swisscontact Uganda, alongside esteemed partners, farmers, and government stakeholders, marked the successful conclusion of the Dynamic Market for Farmers (DMF) Project, a groundbreaking 12-year initiative that revolutionized Uganda’s agricultural landscape. This event was a celebration of resilience, innovation, and the future of Uganda’s agricultural sector.
Uganda
30.10.2024
Transforming Uganda’s Cocoa and Beekeeping Sectors while Empowering Farmers for Economic Growth 
Swisscontact’s Dynamic Markets for Farmers project, is transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Uganda by enhancing the cocoa and beekeeping sectors. Running from 2021 to 2024, the project is empowering farmers in 12 districts to improve their productivity, increase incomes, and access premium markets.
Uganda
Sustainable agriculture
30.11.2023
Swisscontact Marks 25 Years of Transforming Lives in Uganda
In a recent milestone event, Swisscontact celebrated 25 years of impactful initiatives in Uganda during a private sector-led development forum. The gathering brought together leaders from the private sector, civil society, and government under the theme "Facilitating transition towards achieving Uganda's development goals."