Featured in The Dong-A Ilbo (Republic of Korea)
In eastern Uganda’s Kumi District, where more than 90% of the population depends on agriculture, cassava farmers are beginning to experience lasting improvements in both food security and household income.
Kumi has long struggled with high poverty levels and food insecurity due to climate variability, limited access to quality inputs, and weak market linkages. Although cassava is a resilient staple crop, farmers traditionally relied on subsistence production and were often forced to sell surplus harvests quickly at low prices due to a lack of storage facilities and organized buyers.
To address these challenges, Korea Food for the Hungry, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has been implementing the Sustainable Farm Income Improvement through Agricultural Value Chain Development Project in the region.
The project adopted a phased approach. Initial efforts focused on strengthening food security through the distribution of improved cassava varieties, farmer training, and cooperative formation. Building on this foundation, the current phase emphasizes value chain development—linking production with processing, storage, and market access.
Farmer participation has expanded through primary cooperatives, while a secondary cooperative now manages cassava procurement, processing, and distribution. Investments in warehouses, drying facilities, and transportation systems have enabled farmers to sell their produce regularly without dependence on middlemen. The introduction of a fast-maturing cassava variety has also reduced cultivation time while significantly increasing yields.
As a result, cassava procurement volumes have grown substantially, and stable commercial partnerships have been established with international buyers in the animal feed sector. Participating farmers report higher productivity and markedly increased incomes, providing greater economic stability for their households.
Local government officials regard the initiative as a practical model for agricultural transformation, demonstrating how cooperative-based value chain development can connect smallholder farmers to sustainable markets and long-term livelihoods.
This story was featured in The Dong-A Ilbo, one of Korea’s leading daily newspapers, highlighting the impact of development cooperation in strengthening rural resilience and economic self-reliance in Uganda.
The Dong-A Ilbo (Republic of Korea), January 27, 2026
https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20260126/133200050/1