Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is helping agro-input dealers, farmers, and extension workers expand their businesses and improve agricultural productivity through targeted trainings, mentorship, and linkages. Two districts—Mubende and Otuke—are among the beneficiaries where this support has yielded remarkable results.
Otuke: From a Small Agro-Shop to a Multi-Million Business
During a recent field visit, Kizito Otim, a Crop Doctor, agronomy specialist, and proprietor of Kizola Agro Input Shop in Otuke District, narrated how Sasakawa’s intervention transformed his enterprise from a struggling start-up into a thriving business now valued between Shs150 million and Shs200 million.
Otim said he started the shop in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, a period marked by restricted movement and limited access to agricultural inputs. Seeing farmers struggle to obtain seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, he opened the shop as a solution—but progress remained slow.
His breakthrough came in 2021 when he was invited for a business clinic in Lira organized by Sasakawa Africa Association.
“In this training, we received skills in bookkeeping, writing business plans, and other essential business management practices. At the end, we were asked to present business plans, and to our surprise, the best presentations would receive financial support,” Otim recalled.
He emerged among the top participants and was awarded Shs1 million, which he injected into stock expansion. Sasakawa further connected him to major agro-input suppliers in Kampala, such as Bukoola, enabling him to buy inputs at lower prices and widen his profit margins.
Otim’s business grew steadily, and in 2023, he received another invitation for training—this time on service delivery. Through this initiative, he received business equipment including seed planters and spray pumps, which he used to support farmers in surrounding communities.
Demand for his services surged, prompting him to hire unskilled youths to assist him. He has since trained 25 youths in agronomy, machine operation, pre-harvest and post-harvest handling—providing them with income-earning opportunities.
“I thank Sasakawa for the support right from the start. Without them, we wouldn’t have reached this far,” Otim said, adding that many farmers in Otuke have since abandoned traditional methods in favor of modern, profit-oriented farming.
Mubende: Agro-Input Shop Expands Community Access to Quality Inputs
In Mubende District, Kyambadde Francis, a Commercial Community-Based Facilitator (CCBF) trained by Sasakawa, now runs a well-equipped agro-input shop in Kisasa Village, Kikoma Parish.
Kyambadde said he began working with Sasakawa in 2018 as a Community-Based Facilitator offering extension services to farmers. At the time, farmers walked long distances to access inputs and pesticides—an opportunity he tapped into by establishing a nearby supply outlet.
“On top of the extension knowledge we provide, we ensure that our shop stocks only original products. This has helped many farmers excel with minimal input loss,” Kyambadde explained.
Through Sasakawa, Kyambadde received a motorized spray pump and two jab planters, which he hires out to farmers to generate extra income—money he has reinvested into expanding his agro-input business.
He now works with three colleagues to support about 340 farmers, mainly those growing coffee and maize on both small and large scale.
Future Plans
Kyambadde hopes to turn his enterprise into a one-stop center for all farm inputs and services. He also plans to expand service delivery to more remote communities, strengthen combined service offerings, and establish a maize buying and processing business.
“We also want to increase our machinery such as jab planters and spray pumps, and eventually set up a maize processing plant,” he said.
Kyambadde noted that his earnings have significantly improved. From extension services alone, he now earns about Shs3 million per season, in addition to Shs1.3 million net profit per month from his agro-input shop.
Challenges
He pointed out that farmers adopt new techniques at varying speeds, which sometimes slows training progress. He also highlighted the prolonged dry season experienced this year, which is expected to affect production levels.
Sasakawa’s Perspective
Ms. Ethiopia Tadesse, Communications and Advocacy Officer at Sasakawa Africa Association, said field visits show that Commercial Community-Based Facilitators are effectively applying and spreading the knowledge and skills gained from SAA trainings.
“We train CCBFs so they can transfer the same skills to farmers at the grassroots. Through their shops, they ensure that farmers receive quality seeds and other inputs,” she said.
Tadesse added that Sasakawa works closely with private and development partners “who are walking with us in the journey of transforming Agriculture.
