Our staff sat down with representatives of Producers Direct to talk about the project partner and their role within the on-going Uganda Carbon and Coffee Project (UCCP).

A group photo of local UCCP project implementers with William Tinyefuza (pictured third on the left) and
Amon Natushemba (pictured fifth from the right).

Can you briefly introduce yourselves?
I am William Tinyefuza and I am based in Kampala, Uganda, where I support the activities of Producers Direct, particularly focusing on direct commerce activities.

I am Amon Natushemba and I work for Producers Direct as the Center of Excellence Manager, based at the Ankole Coffee Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (ACPCU) in Bushenyi – Uganda. I have led several projects across different regions.

Could you provide a brief overview of Producers Direct?
Producers Direct is a non-governmental organization committed to building international cooperatives for smallholder farmers. It has been in existence for 15 years and has significantly improved the incomes and livelihoods of over 1.3 million farmers across East Africa and Latin America. This progress has been achieved through the creation and promotion of farmer-driven products, leveraging the resilience and power of the farmers themselves.

What is the role of Producers Direct within the UCCP?
Producers Direct plays a significant role in the Uganda Carbon and Coffee Project (UCCP), particularly in Components 2 and 3. Under Component 2, the organization focuses on improving coffee systems by providing information services that enhance coffee productivity and enhance/improve apiculture amongst growers. Component 3 involves linking diversification outcomes, such as honey, fruits, and vegetables, to markets through the Farm Direct platform (https://producersdirect.org/farm-direct/), which connects farmers directly to buyers. In addition, Producers Direct supports UCCP through training programs aimed at improving coffee quality and implementing on-farm experimentation (OFE) to optimize agricultural practices.

What tools are you using to operationalize income diversification strategies under UCCP?
The tools used to operationalize income diversification strategies under UCCP include the use of logbooks, surveys and a digital tool called Croppie for monitoring yield increases, plus OFE, which enhances coffee productivity alongside other products like honey. Training programs are also a key tool, promoting the diversification of incomes through the production of honey, fruits, and vegetables.

A farmer (seated lady) demonstrates avocado grafting to other neighboring farmers.

Producers Direct collaborates with ACPCU to strengthen the capacity of farmer networks, enabling them to better implement coffee diversification strategies. Data services are provided to farmers to offer insights related to coffee production, while the Farm Direct platform facilitates market access and investments for diversified products.

What economic benefits do farmers gain from diversifying their income?
Farmers gain a variety of economic benefits from diversifying their income. First, they experience an increase in income by earning from a range of products such as honey, bananas, and vegetables in addition to coffee. Diversification also leads to improved yields as farmers adopt better agricultural practices and eco-friendly methods. With access to new markets for different products, farmers see an increase in sales potential. Diversified income allows farmers to harvest coffee at the right time, ensuring better quality and higher market prices. Furthermore, income from additional products enables farmers to reinvest in their farms, adopt sustainable practices, and ultimately improve their livelihoods.

Youth agents harvesting honey from a farmer’s premises.

How are these economic benefits measured?
The economic benefits of diversification are measured using a combination of methods. A baseline survey was conducted with 500 farmers at the start of the project to establish their income levels before the project began. Throughout the project, focus group discussions and interviews with farmers conducted to gather qualitative insights on income changes. Additionally, data collection services track income trends over time. Producers Direct has also developed automated dashboards linked to the Farm Direct platform, which monitor farmer incomes. These dashboards use a base income figure of $2.15 per day, which is the average income for Ugandan farmers, to measure income increases over time. By analyzing sales data within specific periods, the system provides a clear view of the project’s impact on farmer earnings.

APNI Contributors: Sara Lamsili, Junior Project Communications Manager, Benguérir, Morocco. Michael Waweru, Regional Communications Officer, Nairobi, Kenya.

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