Asili Agriculture has partnered with the Yara Knowledge Centre (YKC) to improve sustainable farming practices in Uganda. The initiative aims to provide smallholder farmers with advanced training and resources for better crop management. The focus is on key staples such as maize and soybeans.
The partnership combines Yara’s expertise in crop nutrition with Asili’s dedication to regenerative farming and farmer education. Together, they seek to boost productivity, strengthen soil health, improve food security, and enhance economic stability for farming communities across Uganda.
According to William Ng’eno, Country Director at Yara East Africa, “Asili’s mission aligns with our goal to enhance farmer livelihoods by providing cutting-edge crop nutrition solutions and promoting soil regeneration. This partnership is key to developing sustainable and high-yield farming systems in Uganda.”
Hands-On Support for Farmers
A key feature of the initiative is the YKC’s hands-on training sessions, which demonstrate effective crop fertilization and nutrition methods. These sessions are supplemented by advanced tools like the Yara FarmCare app and Yara Connect, which offer farmers data-driven insights for better decision-making in crop management.
Federico Tonelli, Director of Development and Sustainability at Asili Agriculture, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “Our objective is to help smallholder farmers transition to more resilient, profitable, and sustainable farming practices. The expertise shared through the YKC is central to this effort.”
Farmers will also receive personalized advice on input use, soil testing, and have access to financial and mechanization support. A new training facility is currently under construction and is expected to open in early 2025, providing additional resources to expand the program’s reach.
Long-Term Impact on Uganda’s Agricultural Sector
The partnership is designed to drive significant improvements in Uganda’s agricultural productivity. Over the past two decades, the country has seen substantial growth in both maize and soybean production. It reflects the positive effects of modern farming practices. Soybean cultivation has increased from 144,000 hectares in 2004 to 200,000 hectares today, while maize production has risen from 800,000 tonnes in 2000 to over 2.57 million tonnes in 2023. As a result, export revenues have also grown, with maize exports contributing US$244.6 million in 2023, up from US$88 million the previous year.
Through this partnership, Asili and Yara aim to provide smallholder farmers with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to sustain and grow their operations. By promoting sustainable farming practices, they are helping to build a more resilient agricultural sector that can thrive for years to come.
