Vast majority of farmers in Rakai and Kyotera districts like elsewhere in Uganda are still peasants who farmsmall plots of land, utilizing traditional and subsistence methods. Despite of these characteristics, peasant-farming system
\nhas vital role in Uganda\u2019s agriculture sector. According to the World Bank, agriculture is the backbone of Uganda\u2019s economy, employing over 70% of the population, and contributing half of Uganda\u2019s export earnings and a quarter of the country\u2019s gross domestic product (GDP). Since majority of Ugandans live in rural areas, raising agriculture incomes is critical to reducing rural poverty, boosting prosperity and creating jobs, especially for women and youth. Solutions therefore must be found for empowering peasant farmers to deal with the problems they face.<\/p>\n
In response to empowering rural farmers to transform their livelihoods through improved agriculture, at Community Integrated Development Initiatives (CIDI) we have designed and implementing the Community Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihood Project in Rakai and Kyotera Districts, southern Uganda where we are supporting and empowering rural peasant farmers to transit from farmers\u2019 groups to cooperative societies. These play an important role in enhancement of agriculture productivity, promotion of value addition and employment creation. Supporting different farmers groups into formation of cooperative societies gives them a bigger voice, power and capacity\u00a0 in addressing their own production and marketing of their agriculture produce.<\/p>\n
Foreword from the Executive Director It\u2019s my pleasure, that you will not only enjoy the stories in this publication but also learn about how CIDI through the Uganda Governance and Poverty Alleviation Program (UGOPAP) with support from DANIDA through Caritas Denmark has managed to successful use the Cooperative Movement approach to improve the lives of rural farmers.<\/p>\n
\nYours truly<\/strong>
\nDr.Fulgencio Jjuuko<\/strong>
\nExecutive Director CIDI<\/strong><\/p>\n