Seeding self-help

A group of farmers in Uganda have shown initiative and determination to improve their lives, by forming a legally recognised organisation and then building commercial links with seed companies to increase their incomes.

The Bulyana Women's Group was formed in 1996 and joined the local NGO, CEDO (Community Enterprises Development Organisation). Through CEDO they became aware of the importance of being formally organised and having legal status. Each of the 16 members of the group contributed 2500 Uganda shillings (about US$1.50) to allow them to buy a certificate from the District Agricultural Officer identifying them as a 'community-based organisation' (CBO). Among the advantages of having legal status are increased credibility and access to credits and technical support. Also, their status as a group has strengthened their self-esteem and willingness and ability to explore new market options.

Formed in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, the Bulyana Women's Group doesn't discriminate on gender - five of its members are men. When the men were asked how they feel about being in a women's group their response was, "No problem at all. The AIDS epidemics in the mid-90s made us realise that only by staying together and helping each other would we be able to cope with the magnitude of problems we face."

credit: Solveig Danielsen

Beans for profit
One of the focuses of the group's work is producing seed of an improved variety of bean, NABE 4, which they supply to private seed companies through an outgrower scheme. They all agree that the scheme has led to an increase in their income. Beans are traditionally regarded as a 'women's crop', and the women are paid directly for their bean seed which strengthens their position within the family. They can now pay school fees for their children and they have the basic necessities in their homes. The beans they produce are sweet, high yielding and easier to cook than traditional varieties, and they keep some seed for themselves.

The training they have received through the outgrower scheme has led to them changing and improving some of their farming practices, for example, they sow in lines now whereas before they broadcast. And, of course, what they have learned can also be applied to their other crops.

Fertiliser prices are unaffordable, but instead they get rhizobium, a natural source of nitrogen, from Makerere University through CEDO for experimentation. They also need technical support to handle plant diseases, and the sub-county agricultural officers and CEDO advisers come around regularly to monitor and give advice.

The cost of improved seed and other inputs is still a major constraint for expansion of production. And the low price they get for their produce is demotivating. One way of getting better access to markets is by bulking their individual produce in order to make sale agreements with grain trade companies. Uganda Grain Traders, for example, does not buy less than 10 tonnes of maize grain at a time. Group meetings and training are increasing awareness of these market needs so that the farmers can accommodate them, and work them to their advantage.

Charles Kenneth Katabalwa is the Assistant Programme Coordinator of CEDO. He explained, "At our courses we teach the group leaders the importance of listening and involving everybody in the discussions and decision making. All group members pay for their membership, they all have equal right to be heard and to participate. Everybody has something to contribute."

The Bulyana Women's Group is an encouraging example of how farmers, NGOs and the private seed industry can work together so that everyone benefits. It has enabled farmers with very limited resources to create sufficient strength and confidence to penetrate an otherwise inaccessible market for seed and produce. In addition, becoming commercial bean seed growers has increased the group members' personal status and the status of the bean crop.

Article submitted by Solveig Danielsen, Denmark