Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

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    • How is your work helping to create a food secure and zero hunger world ? Have you seen work change after the adoption of the SDGs? If so, how?

      Mukusu's vision is aligned to fighting poverty, zero hunger, decent work and economic growth through provision of labour saving technologies along the crop production value chain.  The mission of Mukusu is to provide mechanical farm power to smallholder farmers through flexible financing options . This is achieved through establishment of collective hiring center (CHC) and partnering with other value chain actors in crop production to enable farmers access credit, advisory services, markets and prompt delivery of their produce to the market places. Mukusu stocked the CHC with a range of mini tractors and implements which it  hires with experienced tractor operators at a fee to farmers to mechanise their farm operations in time and for increased crop production and productivity.

       The use of the CHC model has enabled the average farmers who used to depend on subsistence farming to be included in agricultural development in Bugiri district in Uganda where we are mainly based. We partnered with Bugiri District Local Government, Namayingo Buyinja SACCO and Busowa Traders & Farmers Cooperative Society and established a farm mechanisation scheme for their members. In so doing the farmers access crop finance to mechanise their farm operations from the SACCO while the District provides extension support and provides seed for each household to produce a minimum of one acre for own food consumption and a minimum of one acre for crop production for sale.

      With reference to the four pillars of food security, Mukusu's hiring of labour saving technologies to these farmers, have contributed to the increased availability of both good and cash crops at household level. Farmers used to scale down their farm operations to an acre or less of an acre while using rudimentary farm tools ( hand hoes, pandas, slashers) in order not to miss the season for good yield. Others could plant late and get less yield due to crop failure. Mukusu has registered about 556 small holder farmers increasing their farm lands from 0.5 acres to more than two acres due to use of mechanical farm power. The grain yield increased by 500kg per acre and saved 61man hours per acre in only soil tillage which they converted to livestock farming and to other income generating activities. Ms. Fauza whose picture is in the company profile attached registered an increase in income from crop production and milk production. 

      The farmers have contributed greatly to the availability of food in the district and engage in bulk marketing of their well dried and sorted grains/ cereals to offtakers linked by Mukusu. Mukusu transports farmers' produce using tractors with trailers from their farms to accessible locations which the used to carry on their heads in a short time. In this way Mukusu contributes to the pillar of accessibility through hiring tractors and commercial motor vehicles to the market centers.

      Food utilization and nutrition are also supported through better harvest and post harvest handling services offered by Mukusu using the collective hiring center model which enables farmers to access mechanical farm power quickly at a fee. 

      Mukusu does not only hire but sensitizes farmers on mechanisation and skills youth in tractor use, service, repair and maintenance.

      Can you share any stories of how your work has successfully contributed towards the realization of SDGs in your country?

      What is your experience with monitoring and evaluating progress towards ending hunger, malnutrition and supporting sustainable agriculture in your country? 

       See the profile attached for the pictures and achievements for success and progress.

      Margaret Naggujja

      Mukusu Motors and Properties Ltd

      See the attachments: