Uganda has become a haven for refugees fleeing violence, conflict, and instability in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other countries in the region.
However, life in the refugee settlement areas can be difficult. UN World Food Program distributions have been reduced in recent years, and the items provided—namely beans, sorghum, maize, and cooking oil—lack key nutritional components, especially for growing children. Furthermore, while refugees in Uganda can legally work, economic opportunities in these rural areas are extremely limited.
Seeing the potential for vegetable production to contribute to better nutrition for refugee families and expand their options for earning income, we have provided refugees with hands-on training in improved vegetable cultivation techniques since 2018, working in collaboration with UNHCR and several other partners in Rhino Camp, Imvepi, Kyaka II, and Kyangwali refugee settlements.
Upon arrival and registration in Uganda, refugees are allotted a small plot of land upon which to live, and there is room for each family to establish a 250-square-meter home garden. The vegetables grown—eggplants, tomatoes, and sukuma wiki, among others—provide an array of nutritional benefits for refugee families.
Home gardeners who grow more than they need for their families can sell a portion of their produce, earning badly needed income. After learning sustainable vegetable farming methods, some refugees also lease land in the area to grow crops solely for the market.
In the short term, our work in the refugee settlement areas focuses on improving residents’ income and nutrition. However, our strategic long-term goal is to equip refugee populations with the skills and knowledge they need to establish vegetable farming businesses and a robust agricultural value chain when they return to their home countries. In South Sudan, for instance, nearly all of the vegetables for sale in the market are currently imported.
As the large number of refugees can put a strain on host communities, we also work with smallholder farmers in communities near the refugee settlement areas, with a focus on sharing profitable and sustainable vegetable farming techniques, as well as catalyzing value chain opportunities like seedling production.
Improve farmer productivity and profitability, facilitate market connections, and strengthen access to quality affordable vegetable seeds in Kyaka II and Kyangwali refugee settlements and host communities, with an emphasis on women and youth.
Partner: AVSI Foundation
Enhance food security, increase household income, and reduce chronic malnutrition in Rhino Camp and Imvepi refugee settlement areas and host communities through training on profitable and sustainable vegetable production.
Partner: Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)
Empower youth (ages 18–35) in Rhino Camp and Imvepi refugee settlement areas and host communities through training in entrepreneurial skills and improved farming techniques.
Partner: SNV
Improve access to and consumption of nutritious crops and increase income for refugees and hosts in refugee settlement areas in the West Nile region.
Partners: Netherlands Embassy Uganda, Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation
