Kaberamaido, Uganda – February 4, 2026
Kaberamaido District Local Government has recognized Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organization (SOCADIDO) as the district’s leading development partner following the official launch of the Ateker Development Foundation (ADEFO) multi-actor project Phase II.
The agricultural development initiative was officially launched on Wednesday at the Kaberamaido District Headquarters, bringing together district leaders, development partners, and farming communities.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Hood Kisenene, commended SOCADIDO for its consistent and impactful interventions, describing Phase II of the project as timely and transformative for local farmers.
He noted that 3600 smallholder farmers in Alwa sub county, Aperkira will directly benefit from the intervention.
Mr. Kisenene highlighted the successes registered during the first phase, including increased production, improved market opportunities, and reduced post-harvest losses. He urged more farmers to embrace the project as a pathway to improving household incomes and livelihoods.
“This project is going to create markets, reduce losses, and promote sustainable production and value chains. I urge farmers to take this opportunity seriously and improve their livelihoods,” he said.
He reaffirmed the district’s commitment to supporting sensitization and community mobilization to ensure maximum participation and encouraged SOCADIDO to expand the initiative to more sub-counties, noting that government efforts alone cannot address all development needs.
“We encourage SOCADIDO to deepen their pockets and roll out this project to other sub-counties because the demand is high and the need is real,” he added.
Project Scope
The ADEFO-MAP Project Coordinator, Mr. Ben Boham Okiror, thanked the district leadership for the recognition and strong partnership. He explained that the project is aimed at promoting agricultural value chains among farmers, increasing production, improving aggregation and marketing, and supporting the transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
According to Mr. Okiror, the initiative is expected to directly benefit 3,600 smallholder farmers across Kaberamaido, Soroti, Ngora, Katakwi, and Kapelebyong districts, as well as Soroti City, while indirectly impacting many more households and stakeholders along the agricultural value chain.
The project will run from November 2025 to October 2029.
Call for Commercial Farming
The LC V Chairperson of Kaberamaido District, Mr. Victor Ekesu, urged communities to treat farming as a business by adopting bulk production and collective marketing practices to improve profitability.
He also encouraged farmers to revive the cultivation of groundnuts, describing the crop as highly valuable with strong market potential.
“We need to change our mindset and take farming seriously as a business. Let us also revive crops like groundnuts, which once sustained our households and can still do so today,” he said.
Farmers Express Optimism
Farmers who attended the launch expressed optimism about the project and pledged to apply the knowledge and skills gained through training to improve productivity. Many committed to becoming model farmers and champions of improved agricultural practices within their communities.
Strengthening Agricultural Livelihoods
The launch of Phase II marks another milestone in strengthening agricultural livelihoods and promoting inclusive economic development in Kaberamaido District and the wider Teso sub-region.
Through continued collaboration between government, development partners, and local communities, the initiative is expected to enhance value chains, increase incomes, and build resilience among smallholder farmers.
