Bunyoro farmers receive free soybean seeds in drive to boost household incomes
HOIMA CITY, March 29, 2026 — A total of 52 farmers in Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom have received free soybean seeds under a new initiative aimed at increasing production, strengthening household incomes, and expanding access to reliable markets ahead of the first planting season.
A consignment of two metric tonnes of soybean seed was recently distributed by ENCOT Foundation at the Kingdom’s administration offices in Hoima City, benefiting farmers drawn from different parts of the Kingdom that also possesses oil reserves.
The distribution follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] between ENCOT Foundation and the Kingdom, aimed at mobilising farmers to engage in soybean production at small-, medium- and large-scale levels to enhance household incomes and spur regional development.
The exercise was flagged off by the Kingdom’s Production Officer, Atuha Moses Amooti, who represented Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga Ateenyi.
Delivering the Prime Minister’s message, Atuha said the Kingdom entered into a working partnership with ENCOT Foundation on September 08, 2025, to introduce soybean farming to interested farmers across the region.
Under the arrangement, farmers will benefit from certified soybean seeds, agricultural insurance, access to fertilisers, market linkages, agricultural loans, and technical training from extension officers.
He noted that the partnership was already yielding results, with many farmers trained and now receiving free seeds.
“This initiative has come at the right time as farmers prepare for the first season. It will help reduce risks associated with price fluctuations, climate change and limited agronomic knowledge,” he said.
Atuha emphasised that only farmers registered with both the Kingdom and ENCOT Foundation would benefit from the programme.
Registration is ongoing at the BKK Production Office, through district coordinators, and at ENCOT Foundation and Encot Microfinance offices across the Kingdom’s 15 counties.
He urged residents to embrace soybean cultivation as a short-term income-generating crop, while promoting coffee and cocoa as long-term investments.
“Diversifying into both short- and long-term crops is a practical pathway to eradicating poverty at household and community levels,” he added.
ENCOT Foundation Programmes Officer, Immaculate Kemigisa, commended the Kingdom for mobilising farmers and supporting efforts to improve livelihoods.
She said the seeds had been delivered on time and urged beneficiaries to plant immediately to take full advantage of the season.
Kemigisa added that the distributed soybean variety, “Maksoy 6N”, is disease-resistant, high-yielding and matures within three months. She further assured farmers that a ready market for the produce had already been secured.
One of the beneficiaries, Alex Tumusime, welcomed the support, noting that although he had prepared his gardens, he lacked funds to purchase seeds.
“This is a big opportunity. We have been growing maize and beans without certainty of the market, but now we are shifting to soybeans with an assured market,” he said.
Soybean farming is a rapidly growing, profitable cash crop in Uganda, driven by high demand for oil, human nutrition, and animal feed. It is well-suited to Uganda’s climate, with major production areas utilizing improved, rust-resistant varieties like Maksoy and Namsoy. The crop matures in 3–4 months and thrives in well-drained soils with reliable rainfall.Bottom of Form
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
