NATIONAL OILSEED PROJECT
Mr. Yasin Senduala – Project Co-ordinator
Project Background
Introduction.
The National Oil Seeds Project (NOSP) is a seven-year (July 12 2021- July 11 2028) jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Ministry of Local Government (MoLG). This project was designed to build on the successes of the predecessor project, the Vegetable Oil Development Project (VODP) Phase 2 which took place from (2010-2018). The total funding of the project is $160,805,000 (One Hundred sixty million, eight hundred and five thousand US Dollars). This is being financed by International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Heifer International, Kuehne Foundation, Government of Uganda, Private Sector and Beneficiaries. The project is being implemented in 81 Districts Clustered in 6 Hubs of West Nile, Northern, Mid-Northern, Eastern, Mid-Western and Karamoja and spread across 11 geographical sub regions of this country. These were selected based on agro-ecological, social, demographic and economic criteria. MAAIF is the Lead Executing Agency for the Project and MoLG is responsible for coordinating Component 2 of the project. The aim of the national oilseeds project is to reduce importation of oilseeds and their products. The targeted crops in the projects are Sunflower, Soy bean, Ground nuts and Sesame.
Rationale for the National Oilseeds Project
The Project is intended to bridge the short-fall in domestic production volumes of oilseeds for vegetable oil and other by-products. Estimated current production is at 40,000MT out of which 10,000MT is estimated to be traded in neighboring countries, while the demand for oilseeds is at 120,000MT leaving a short-fall of 90,000MT production. The project aims to reduce imports from 90,000MT through increasing national production to meet the above demand.
The Project Goal.
Inclusive rural transformation through sustainable development of the oilseeds sector.
Project Key Development Objective.
The Project Development Objective (PDO) is “to accelerate commercialisation in key oilseeds value chains and thereby improve the livelihoods and resilience of the smallholders engaged in oilseed production and marketing”.
Specific Objectives.
1. To cluster 120,000 smallholder farmer households by accelerating the growth of competitive clusters and value chains for oilseeds and pro-actively developing opportunities for private sector investments in oilseeds and related by-products like animal feeds.
2. To improve local level public transportation infrastructure to facilitate the commercialisation of the oilseed sector.
Project Beneficairies
The project is focusing on the large portion of the rural population in Northern, Eastern, North-Eastern and some parts of Mid-Western Uganda. At least 120,000 small holder farmers household will be targeted and this is intended to reduce import of 90,000MT of Vegetable Oil, worth USD 70Million to meet the local demand per annum. The key project groups are subsistence smallholder farmers – women (60%), men and youth (40%) – growing oilseeds. In addition, the project will target oilseeds sector stakeholders, including nucleus farmers.
Project Geographical Coverage
NOSP covers six Hubs and 81 Districts Viz:
- Eastern Uganda (23) Kapchorwa, Kween, Manafwa, Namisindwa, Mbale, Sironko, Tororo, Kamuli, Iganga, Jinja, Namutumba, Mayuge, Kaliro, Palisa, Bugiri, Busia, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Namayingo, Bugweri, Budaka, Buyende and Kibuku
- Gulu (8) Lamwo, Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Omoro, and Agago
- Lira (19) Oyam, Lira, Apac, Kaberamaido, Serere, Katakwi, Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke, Kole, Dokolo, Ngora, Amuria, Soroti, Kwania, Kapelebyong, Kalaki, Bukedea and Kumi.
- Mid-Western Uganda (9) Masindi, Hoima, Kiryandongo, Kikube, Luwero, Nakaseke, Kyankwanzi, Kiboga and Nakasongola.
- West Nile (10) Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Nebbi, Yumbe, Zombo, Obongi and Madi-okoro
- Karamoja (6) Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Napak, Abim, Amudat and Kabong
- NOSP operates 75 districts included in the operational area of the six
The project targets 120,000 farmers and so the potential communication task is huge. These farmers speak multi-languages beyond the one official language of English and local delivery partners will be critical to onward dissemination and customization of the messages.
The project has two components and Implementation Arrangements:
Component 1: Support to Oilseed Value Chain Development. The objective of this component is to cluster 120,000 smallholder farmer households by accelerating the growth of competitive clusters and value chains for oilseeds and pro-actively developing opportunities for private sector investments in oilseeds and related by-products specially to establish a competitive animal feed industry in Uganda.
Component 2: Support to Market Linkage Infrastructure Serving Oilseed Sector. The objective of this component is to improve local level public transportation infrastructure to facilitate the commercialization of the oilseed sector. The implementation of activities under this component will facilitate private sector investments in the sector, promote the production and marketing of good quality oilseeds and reduce the time and cost of transport to the markets. The component will reduce transaction costs and increase farmers’ income through improved community access road (CAR) networks. The target is to construct or rehabilitate approximately 2,500 km of CARs serving the NOSP clusters. The successful implementation of Component 2 is a key prerequisite for the reaching of the productivity, production, and household income growth targets of Component 1.
Intervention Delivery Mechanisms
The project will broadly undertake the following interventions to address improving Oilseeds production;
- Research and development support to production of new improved oilseed varieties
- Construction of high-quality animal feed processing facility
- Support small and medium scale on farm irrigation with 200 irrigation schemes
- Provide 200 tractors and axillary farm services promotion
- Construction of 60 post-harvest bulking centers in the 6 hubs
- Provision of extension services for oilseed farmers
- Local governments to construct, rehabilitate and maintain 2,500km of community access roads
Expected outcomes
- Increased commercialization in key oilseed value chain hence improved livelihoods and resilience of small holders engaged
- Rural transformation through a sustainably developed oilseed sector
- Improved local level transportation infrastructure
- Accelerated growth in oilseeds value chain in 120000 smallholder households
- Developed opportunities for private sector investment in oilseed and related by products like animal feeds
