top of page

Entreprenurship and off-farm Livelihoods

THE CONTEXT

 

SOHAI is cognisant that transitioning to sustainable soil management regimes such as regenerative and organic agriculture, may not deliver expected economic returns in the short run period. During the early stages of adoption of sustainable practices, farmers may experience temporary reductions in farm productivity and income as their farming systems gradually adjust. In recognition of these trade-offs, we promote diversified and resilient livelihoods by strengthening farmers' financial resilience, entreprenural capabilities, expanding market opportunities, and encouraging alternative income-generating activities. These interventions potentially stabalises farm incomes while reducing pressures on farm lands as farmers seeks alternative livelihoods opportunties. Indeed, several reports have linked soil degradation to continuous cropping, a widely spread practice among smallholder farmers in sub-Sharan Africa (SSA) including Uganda. Despite the crucial role of entreprenural skills and alternative livelihoods in cushioning communities against food system shocks, across rural communities, there exist significant knowledge gap on entreprenship and diversification of sustainable income generating activities (IGAs). We are working with communities to bolster their technical and socio-economic potential to engage in meaningfull off-farm  economic activities.

​

OUR RESPONSE

​

💰 Institutional Strengthening

  • Build the capacity of smallholder farmers to establish, participate and sustain innovative financial schemes like the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).

  • Support access to external funding sources to boost the capacity of VSLA groups and other self-help groups to enable members' access expanded financing opportunities.

 

📈 Financial Literacy & and Capital Investment

  • Equip economically vulnerable farmers and value chain actors with financial literacy skills including digital financial tools.

  • Capcity building of communities to engage in real-time forecasting, risk analysis and viable investments for less risky investment and gainfull returns.

  • Support the development of alternative sustainable  off-farm income opportunities.

 

🌾 Market Development & Access

  • Strengthen market linkages for agricultural produce and other locally produced non-farm goods.

  • Improve producers' access to profitable and reliable markets.

 

🌍 Certification Schemes

  • Build the capacity of producers and agribusinesses to participate in Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) schemes.

  • Support access to international markets and premium prices for sustainably and organically produced products.

 

🏭 Value Addition & Agro-processing

  • Promote small-scale agro-processing and value addition initiatives to reduce post-harvest losses.

  • Support farmers and local enterprises in developing higher-value agricultural products for expanded market access.​

bottom of page