KIRYANDONGO, March 6, 2026 — Kiryandongo district is set to benefit from a major climate-resilient agricultural investment aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and transforming seasonal farm surpluses into marketable products.
District leaders have announced that the district will receive a Shs 5.87 billion Dehydrated Products Supply Chain Development Project, to be implemented by Excel Hort Consult with funding from the Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO].
The development was revealed during a district stakeholders’ meeting held recently at the Kiryandongo District headquarters, bringing together local government leaders, technical officers, development partners and farmer representatives.
Charles Lwanga Malingu, Project Manager at Excel Hort Consult, said the initiative will introduce a solar-assisted dehydration system to support farmers in preserving their produce.
“This system is designed to provide a climate-resilient and market-oriented solution to the agricultural production challenges faced by farmers,” he said.
Malingu explained that the technology will enable farmers to convert seasonal agricultural surpluses into shelf-stable and tradable food products, thereby reducing wastage during peak harvest periods and expanding access to regional and national markets.
“The project leverages solar-assisted dehydration as a sustainable solution that addresses climate variability while promoting inclusive local enterprise and market development,” he added.
The project will directly benefit 1,000 smallholder farmer households drawn from both refugee settlements and host communities across Kiryandongo district.
Priority value chains identified for intervention include cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, okra and cabbage — commodities widely grown in the district but often affected by post-harvest losses.
District officials expect the intervention to strengthen food security, improve household incomes and promote economic self-reliance among both refugees and host communities.
Kiryandongo hosts one of Uganda’s largest refugee populations, placing increasing pressure on livelihoods and agricultural systems. The project is therefore expected to contribute to sustainable coexistence and shared economic opportunities.
Upon completion, two solar-powered dehydration hubs will be established in the district.
The facilities will offer farmers affordable services such as drying, sorting, grading, milling, packaging and storage.
The hubs are also expected to serve producers from neighbouring districts, positioning Kiryandongo as a regional centre for value addition and agro-processing.
Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer Anselm Kyaligonza welcomed the initiative and urged FAO and Excel Hort Consult to prioritise local participation during implementation.
He emphasised the need to involve local agro-input dealers by allowing them to supply farm inputs required by beneficiary households, noting that such an approach would strengthen local businesses and enhance community ownership of the project.
“This will help localise the project and ensure sustainability beyond donor support,” Kyaligonza said.
The CAO also pledged full technical and political support from district authorities to ensure successful implementation.
Stakeholders at the meeting described the project as timely, particularly as farmers increasingly face unpredictable weather patterns that affect production and storage.
By promoting renewable energy-powered processing and structured market access, the initiative is expected to reduce food losses, stabilise prices and create new agribusiness opportunities along the agricultural value chain.
Once operational, the dehydration supply chain project is expected to help transform Kiryandongo’s agricultural sector from largely subsistence production to commercial, climate-resilient and market-driven farming, contributing to long-term rural economic growth.
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