Twenty-four farmers from across the six benefiting districts in Teso sub-region under the Ateker Development Foundation Multi-Actor Partnership Phase 2 (ADEFO–MAP2) project, have been equipped with practical skills to become certified seed producers and trainers.
This move is aimed at improving seed quality, boosting crop yields and strengthening household incomes.
The farmers, two selected from each sub-county participating in the project, on Friday February 27th, 2026, undertook a farmer field visit and hands-on training workshop at the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI).
The training focused on seed production, varietal identification, and quality assurance for traditional and adaptable crop varieties widely grown in Teso region.
Speaking about the initiative, ADEFO–MAP Coordinator Ben Boham Okiror said the exposure and training visit was designed to empower local farmers with specialized knowledge directly from plant breeders. “The farmers have been equipped as seed producers of traditional and adaptable seeds that our people are most familiar with. They were trained directly by the breeders from NaSARRI/NARO, who are the owners of these seed varieties,” Okiror explained. The selected farmers received training in seed production for green gram, cassava, soybean, sesame, groundnuts, sorghum and maize.
The training on each enterprise was handled by its respective breeder to ensure that farmers gained accurate technical knowledge on proper seed selection, isolation, multiplication and post-harvest handling.
ADEFO–MAP2 project will support each of the 24 trained farmers with foundation seed to kick-start multiplication. Each farmer will dedicate part of their acreage of farmland to foundation seed production and multiplication. “The idea is that these farmers will lead the establishment of seed banks within their farmer associations/cooperatives. They will also train other farmers to continue multiplying the seed so that gradually they will build a sustainable local seed system,” Okiror noted.
In a spirit of partnership, the Director NaSARRI Dr. Okello David Kalule committed to providing periodic inspection and technical backstopping to ensure compliance with recommended seed production standards. On a similar note, the Local Government agricultural extension officers at both sub-county and district levels pledged their support through monitoring, mentoring and closely providing advisory services to the seed producers.
In a long run, this will enable farmers to appreciate the economic value of certified seed production compared to grain farming.
Okiror highlighted persistent challenges in the region, particularly the mixing of seed varieties by farmers, which compromises quality and market value. He cited the confusion surrounding groundnut varieties such as Serenut 2 and the Kenyan variety nicknamed ’boss’.
It has been learnt that, farmers sometimes plant both varieties in the same garden, and over time the distinction is lost,” he said. He explained that it is the yield potential in ‘boss’ that has attracted the farmers, whereas the serenut variety is known for its good taste as well as yield capacity.
“These are some of the issues we want to begin correcting gradually. Farmers need to understand the characteristics of each variety and maintain purity if they are to access better markets and premium prices,” Okiror emphasized.
The seed producer model under ADEFO–MAP2 is expected to address such gaps by ensuring that trained farmers serve as custodians of quality seed within their respective communities.
In addition to the seed initiative, ADEFO–MAP2 is rallying stakeholders to participate in the upcoming 5th Eastern Agricultural Show scheduled for March 21st to 24th 2026. The event will be hosted by one of ADEFO member – Awoja Riverside Farm and ADEFO platform, in partnership with National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Busitema university and SOCADIDO. The annual agricultural show is expected to attract exhibitors, researchers, agribusiness companies, financial institutions and farmers from across Eastern Uganda, nationally and internationally. Okiror says the platform will provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, demonstration of new technologies and strengthening of market linkages.
The ADEFO–MAP2 project is funded by Sign of Hope and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Across the Teso sub-region, the initiative will directly support 3,600 smallholder farmers in Kaberamaido, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Ngora and Soroti districts, as well as Soroti City. 60% of the targeted beneficiaries are women, reflecting a deliberate effort to promote inclusive agricultural development.
Indirectly, the project is expected to reach at least 64,800 people through improved access to quality seed, enhanced productivity, shared knowledge, adoption of farming practices, and strengthened marketing and cooperative structures.
Quality seed is the way to go thanks for linking the farmers with research bravo ADEFO