SOYBEAN INCOME AND AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS (SIAC) PROJECT (2025 -2026)

Genogen Development Initiative (GEDI) is implementing the “Soybean Income and Agricultural
Competitiveness” (SIAC) project in four sub-counties of greater Parombo in Nebbi District, West Nile
sub-region of Northern Uganda. The project targets a total of 1,000 peasant households over a two-year
pilot project from January 2025 to December 2026. The goal of the project is to increase income and
agricultural competitiveness for peasant households in greater Parombo, Nebbi District. The goal is to be
achieved through the outcomes of increased production and productivity of soybean as well as increased
access and linkages to market and finance to invest in soybean production.

The project strategy is to build the capacity of 20 farmer groups each year to scale out production of
soybean in 20 parishes across the 4 selected sub-counties of greater Parombo (i.e. Achana, Akworo,
Parombo and Parombo Town Council). This is to enable the project to directly benefit a total of 1,000
peasant households (500 per year) during the two-year pilot project. Through the farmer field schools
approach (or demonstrations) the farmer groups are able to conduct experiential learning to adopt best
farming practices in their own farms. It is expected that the knowledge and sustainable practices thus
acquired will be adopted by more farmers in the communities to build stronger, more cohesive farmer
groups and promote collective action and advocacy for soybean growing.

To ensure that farmers have access to improved disease-resistant high yielding seed varieties, as well access to sustainable market, Genogen Development Initiative has established partnership Mt. Meru Millers Uganda Limited, Lira City.
The project has developed a mechanism through which farmers are assisted to access quality seed as well as a guaranteed market for all their produce including that of other individual farmers / non-group members in the area. Consequently, a major strategy of the project, through this partnership, is to focus on building capacity of the farmers to access markets sustainably. The project is employing a mix of approaches that leads to attracting and improving access to markets, such as contracting, bulking and increasing access to market information.

Additionally, in the second year, the project will focus on strategies that further strengthen the soybean
value chain in the areas. The project will provide linkages to business development services to enable
farmers invest more in soybean production. The project will provide mentorship, training and link farmers
to financial institutions as well as facilitate the communities to establish their own savings and internal
lending groups based on sound methodologies.

Genogen File Photo: Members of Can Jurimo Kutic Women’s Group in Parombo Town Council, Nebbi District weeding their soybean crop (May 2025).
Genogen File Photo: General Manager and Field Officer of Mt. Meru Millers Uganda Limited on a field monitoring visit of SIAC project at Siringmba Wendi Farmers Group soybean plot in Akworo sub-county, Nebbi District (May 2025)