JINJA, – The National Oil Seeds Project (NOSP) made a powerful mark at the 32nd National Agricultural Show in Jinja, where farmers shared first-hand testimonies of how the project is transforming household incomes and food security across Uganda.
The show, which ended on 5th July, drew farmers, traders, and partners to the NOSP tent to see how support for oilseeds is cutting Uganda’s reliance on imported edible oils while building profitable local value chains.
“A game-changer for Northern Uganda”
For many in the north, oilseeds are now a pathway out of poverty.
Ogwal James, a soybean farmer from Bungatira Sub-County in Gulu District, described NOSP as a game-changer for Northern Uganda.
“Many families are now experiencing growing economic independence,” Ogwal said. “Before NOSP, we planted for food. Now we plant for money. The training, inputs, and market linkages have changed how we farm.”
Value addition and market access
In Karamoja, sunflower farmers say group marketing and processing are unlocking new profits.
Achia Boniface, a sunflower farmer from Nakapiripirit District, applauded the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for its support through NOSP.
“Farmer groups are now able to add value to their produce and access reliable markets,” Achia said. “That is a major step toward profitable farming. We no longer sell raw seed at low prices.”
He noted that training on post-harvest handling and aggregation has helped groups meet buyer standards and negotiate better prices.
120,000 households targeted in 81 districts
NOSP is driving transformation by supporting four key oil-seed crops: soybean, sunflower, sesame, and groundnuts.(simsim)
The project targets uplifting 120,000 smallholder households across 81 districts with a package that includes improved seed, agronomy training, post-harvest support, and market linkages.
Project officials at the show said the goal is to boost domestic edible oil production, strengthen farmer resilience to climate shocks, and reduce the import bill for vegetable oils.
“By focusing on oilseeds, we are addressing two things at once: income for farmers and food security for the country,” a NOSP official told visitors. “When farmers earn more and processors have local raw materials, the whole value chain grows.”
From farm to oil bottle
At the Jinja show, NOSP exhibited different value-added products from the four crops – cooking oil, seed cake for animal feed, and packaged sesame and groundnuts. Demonstrations showed farmers how to clean, grade, and store to meet market requirements.
The project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture with support from development partners, and focuses on farmer organizations, women, and youth as key drivers of oilseed production.
With demand for edible oils growing in Uganda and the region, NOSP officials said the Jinja show was an opportunity to connect farmers to processors, financial institutions, and exporters to sustain the momentum.
The 32nd National Agricultural Show ran in Jinja and closed on 5th July.
About The Author
