Agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods in Uganda, with over 80% of households engaged in smallholder farming. Most farmers, however, operate at subsistence level, with limited access to quality inputs, extension services, finance, and structured markets. Youth unemployment and underemployment remain high, despite the region’s significant agribusiness potential. Key value chains including cassava, citrus, groundnuts, sesame, cereals, poultry, fish, and livestock offer strong opportunities for value addition, agro-processing, and market expansion. While interest in farmer cooperatives is growing, many remain weak in governance, financial management, and market linkages. Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) and farmer groups are central to organizing farmers and improving access to inputs, training, and financial services, yet they require further strengthening to drive collective marketing and regional trade.

Through its Integrated Agribusiness Approach, TEDDO links climate-smart agriculture, cooperative strengthening, and women and youth empowerment to unlock the region’s agribusiness potential. Leveraging its church network, TEDDO mobilizes communities, builds trust, and promotes ethical agribusiness practices. By serving as a catalyst for cooperative incubation, value chain coordination, and connections to finance and markets, TEDDO aims to transform smallholder agriculture into productive, profitable, and resilient agribusiness enterprises.