Agriculture and Market Support (AMS)

The project equips young people with practical skills to start and grow businesses in agriculture, creating opportunities to earn an income and build a secure future.

Participants develop technical and entrepreneurial skills in areas with strong local potential, such as poultry, beekeeping, commercial vegetable production and fabrication of post-harvest equipment, alongside sustainable farming techniques that can improve productivity, protect soil and water resources and reduce the risks posed by unpredictable weather. They also learn practical business skills to plan, manage and grow an enterprise, from understanding costs and keeping records to identifying market opportunities.

Training is designed to give young people skills they can put into practice and build on over time, rather than simply providing one-off knowledge. Participants can apply what they learn within their own enterprises and use their growing experience to identify new opportunities across agricultural value chains.

This is particularly valuable for refugees who may be rebuilding their livelihoods in unfamiliar surroundings, as well as young people seeking new routes into employment and entrepreneurship.

Having the skills to run a business is only part of the journey. Many young people and refugees face a second challenge: accessing the equipment and resources needed to put their ideas into practice and start generating an income.

The project helps participants overcome this barrier through subsidised start-up investment. Participants contribute 33% of the cost, while the project contributes 67%, creating a shared investment in the success of each enterprise.

The support is tailored to the type of business each participant wants to develop. For example, someone starting a poultry enterprise may receive one-month-old chicks and feeders, while others may access equipment suited to other agricultural enterprises.

This approach enables participants to begin earning more quickly and at a greater scale than would otherwise be possible.

“Our investment is designed to unlock enterprise, not create dependency, giving young people assets they can use to generate income.” - Deogratious Egeru, Enterprise Development Coordinator

Through the project, young farmers and entrepreneurs and connected with the buyers and suppliers they need to turn production into reliable income. For small-scale producers, selling alone can mean limited bargaining power and difficulty reaching larger buyers, so the project helps farmers work together, often through cooperatives, to access better market opportunities.

Farmer organisations are supported to improve how they aggregate and store produce, making it easier to maintain quality, meet larger orders and sell when market conditions are more favourable.

The project also supports young people and farmer organisations to participate in agribusiness shows and exhibitions. These provide opportunities to showcase their products and build relationships with buyers and other businesses.

Young people and farmer organisations are connected with the financial and business services they need to start and grow their enterprises. For many young entrepreneurs and refugees, limited savings and lack of access to affordable finance can make it difficult to invest in equipment, increase production or take advantage of new market opportunities.

Participants are linked to project-approved financial service providers and other Business Development Services, giving them access to credit alongside practical support to strengthen their businesses. Where possible, the project negotiates better terms with financial institutions, particularly where Ripple Effect Uganda already has an established partnership.

This support complements the project’s training and start-up investment, helping participants build the skills, capital and confidence to manage their businesses over time. As enterprises become more established, access to finance can enable them to invest further, increase their income and create opportunities for other young people.

The project creates opportunities for young people and farmers to learn from one another and build connections with people who can help them grow. Participants take part in agribusiness shows and exhibitions where they can meet potential buyers, suppliers and other businesses, while learning about new products, techniques and opportunities across agricultural value chains. These events also create space for peer-to-peer learning, allowing participants to share experiences.

The project has also supported organisations to formally register as cooperatives, strengthening their ability to represent members, conduct business and access opportunities.

Bringing refugees and members of host communities together through farmer organisations and other activities strengthens relationships and creates opportunities to collaborate and learn from one another. Over time, these connections can help young entrepreneurs and farmer organisations build stronger businesses and more resilient local economies.

“We want to create the conditions where people can succeed, then give them the confidence and connections to take the lead. That’s where lasting change really begins.” - Pamela Ebanyat, Ripple Effect Uganda Country Director