SNV’s INCLUDE Project Extends Support to Rukungiri to Boost Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods
Rukungiri: The Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder Farmers (INCLUDE) project, implemented by SNV in Uganda and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), has extended its services to Rukungiri district.
The project aims to support smallholder farmers by addressing key socio-economic challenges such as soil fertility, market access, and climate change adaptation.
This was revealed by the acting project manager, Judith Okuonzia Tomma, while addressing Rukungiri district officials on May 13, before heading to various sub-counties for community training and engagement.
According to Okuonzia, the INCLUDE project is a five-year initiative designed to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers involved in livestock and crop farming. It also aims to develop and support private sector and local market structures. The project targets 75,000 farmers across the regions of Busoga, Rwenzori, Kigezi, and Greater Ankole.
Okuonzia further explained that INCLUDE encourages communities to support themselves by engaging in local development projects, such as improving access roads, water supply, and environmental conservation measures like preventing soil erosion and landslides. In Rukungiri, the project is already active in Bugangari, Bwambara, Nyakishenyi, and Ruhinda sub-counties.
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Several beneficiaries, including Jane Nkasiime and Samuel Zirya from Nyabitete Parish, and area councilor Patrick Mugisha, praised the initiative during an interview at Nyabitete Health Centre II. They noted that since the project’s engagement began in July last year, they have learned to make the most of their small pieces of land by planting banana plantations, rearing zero-grazing cattle, growing grass for animal feed, and cultivating coffee.
They also reported that the community has mobilized to construct the Njororore-Nkyentemere Bridge, which connects Nyabitete Parish in Bugangari Sub-county to Nyakyitabire in Ruhinda Sub-county. The farmers priorities according to their vision plans are to construct and rehabilitate bridges, improve acess to clean water and establish better schools in their community. They thanked SNV for motivating them to improve their household incomes, which they aim to significantly boost within the next five years.
The Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) field officer for INCLUDE in Rukungiri Benson Tukacungurwa, encouraged the public to join the project to fight poverty and improve livelihoods through increased household income.
Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom urged farmers to remain focused on improving their incomes. He warned them against listening to discouraging voices and advised them to set achievable long-term goals. He reminded them that wealth is not built overnight, and encouraged a gradual and sustainable path toward success.