Project: Enhancing Sustainable Productivity and Utilization of Potato in the Kigezi Highlands
Client: Excel Hort Consult Limited with funding and technical support from Gorta Self Help Africa – Uganda Programme
Location: Kabale and Rubanda Districts, South Western Uganda
Consulting Focus Area: Development Research – Final Project Evaluation
Project Amount: UGX 776,050,000 (approx. €227,620)
Download: [ Final Evaluation Report ]
Overview
The Enhancing Sustainable Productivity and Utilization of Potato Project was a three year initiative designed to reduce poverty among potato smallholder households in the Kigezi Highlands. Implemented across 8 parishes in 4 sub-counties of Kabale and Rubanda Districts, the project promoted organized seed production, improved productivity, value addition, and market access for potato farmers.
PDCC Limited was contracted to conduct the Final Evaluation, measuring the project’s impact on poverty reduction, productivity gains, market linkages and household wellbeing. The evaluation engaged 172 respondents, including beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers, cooperative members, and institutional stakeholders.
Study Objectives
The evaluation sought to:
Assess how the project contributed to poverty reduction among potato smallholder households.
Measure performance against planned inputs, outputs, and outcomes.
Identify challenges and contextual factors affecting delivery.
Document lessons learned, good practices, and case studies.
Recommend strategies for scaling and replication.
Key Findings & Impact
Increased Yields & Incomes: Seed potato yields rose by 3,260kgs and ware potato by 5,260kgs per season. Average household incomes grew from UGX 1.2M to UGX 7M, with significant improvements in savings.
Market Access & Cooperatives: 4 farmer cooperatives were registered, linking farmers to financial institutions, traders, and processors. Prices for seed potato rose by UGX 4,580/kg and ware potato by UGX 1,854/kg.
Household Wellbeing: Gains in food security (65%), school fees payment in private schools (73%), health access (62%), and women’s participation in decision making (40%).
Sustainability: Strong partnerships with local government and private sector ensured continued farmer support, cooperative marketing, and uptake of climate smart practices.
The evaluation confirmed the project’s high relevance and alignment with Uganda’s National Development Plan II and the Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan. By strengthening seed systems, market linkages, and farmer cooperatives, the project significantly boosted incomes and resilience among smallholder potato producers.
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