Potato Farming Skills and Knowledge Transfer, Apele, Uganda

Written by Elfas Mcloud Zadzagomo Shangwa HUNTER.

Overview

• Implementing Partner: Destiny Community Development Inicitive (DECODI)
• Date: April 18-20, 2024
• Location: Apele, Northern Region, Uganda
• Duration: Three days

Agenda

1. Theoretical Sessions (Days 1 and 2)

   • Participants learned about the significance of potatoes in human life.
   • Economic benefits of potato farming were discussed.
   • Health benefits of consuming potatoes were highlighted.
   • An overview of global potato farming practices was presented.

2. Practical Session (Day 3)

   • Participants engaged in hands-on learning:
     • Growing Potatoes in Bags and Containers:
       • Techniques for cultivating potatoes in confined spaces were demonstrated.
     • Open Field Cultivation:
       • Best practices for growing potatoes in open fields were shared.
     • Value Addition:
       • Participants explored methods to enhance the value of harvested potatoes.

Smart Objectives

• Increase Potato Yields: Implement the acquired knowledge to achieve a 20% increase in potato yields within the next planting season.
• Promote Value Addition: Encourage participants to explore potato-based products beyond raw consumption.

Pathways

1. Capacity Building:

   • Establish demonstration plots in Apele for ongoing training.
   • Train local farmers on modern potato farming techniques.

2. Market Access:

   • Connect farmers with local markets and potential buyers.
   • Explore opportunities for exporting processed potato products.

Monitoring and Evaluation Points

1. Yield Monitoring:

   • Regularly assess potato yields per acre.
   • Compare results with baseline data.

2. Quality Control:

   • Evaluate the quality of harvested potatoes.
   • Ensure compliance with standards.

3. Feedback Loop:

   • Gather feedback from workshop participants.
   • Use insights to improve program implementation.

The workshop in Apele was a significant step toward empowering Ugandan farmers and promoting sustainable potato farming practices. 🌱🥔✨