Empowering Smallholder Farming Communities: Gordon’s Agricultural Organisation-Uganda Sets a Path to Maximise Potential

Africa’s agricultural sector is distinguished by its rich and diverse adaptive traditional techniques that have been essential for food security over the decades. However, in northern Uganda, agricultural practices have encountered systemic inefficiencies that have particularly impacted smallholder farmers, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), leaving them vulnerable to poverty and food insecurity. These farmers are grappling with limited access to affordable, quality inputs such as climate-smart seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and industrial tools. The scarcity of effective advisory services has compelled farmers to rely on outdated and unsustainable farming practices, exacerbated by an inadequate advisory ratio of one extension worker to 500 farmers, rendering technical support nearly inaccessible.

Financial exclusion compounds these challenges, as many farmers cannot access the microfinance credit necessary for investing in agricultural inputs, with women and PWDs particularly disadvantaged in agriculture-related businesses within local markets. Coupled with reliance on rain-fed agriculture, these factors worsen food insecurity during dry seasons due to water shortages. Additionally, poor market linkages leave farmers at the mercy of exploitative middlemen, perpetuating cycles of poverty and hindering economic growth.

These challenges underscore the urgent need for transformative and sustainable change to alleviate entrenched poverty, food insecurity, and climate vulnerability in the region. Agriculture transcends mere land cultivation; it is a science that demands meticulous planning, preparation and continuous adaptive research. This highlights the critical role of extension services in guiding farmers through the agricultural planning process, which includes assessing their ecological region, land classification, understanding soil structure and pH, selecting appropriate crops, and managing their production effectively throughout the value chain to market.

Extension workers play a vital role in consolidating research and development for effective implementation, ensuring that farmers make timely and informed decisions for calculated investment to minimise risk and increase productivity.

Heeding the call

Gordon’s Agricultural Organisation-Uganda (GAO-UG) is a social enterprise aiming to address the systemic challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda. GAO-UG was established as a student initiative supported by the Regional University Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and employs ten (10) full-time professional staff, fifty (50) Community Agricultural Promoters (CAPs) and five (5) digital connectors.

To effect meaningful change, GAO-UG employs a bundled service delivery model that encompasses last- mile agricultural inputs delivery, advisory services, irrigation solutions, microfinance credit, and market access facilitation. Under the leadership of its founder, Akejo Gordon Victor, a TAGDev alumnus from Egerton University, GAO-UG has successfully mobilized a network of stakeholders, including farmer groups, cooperatives, Community Agricultural Promoters (CAPs), and extension workers to provide much needed training, services and products to farmers.

GAO-UG founder, Akejo Gordon Victor

Transformative outcomes

Through strategic partnerships with local government entities and organisations like  Mukwano group of company, Technoserve, Self Help Africa, Governance system international, E4impact Foundation, Tulima Solar Company, Uganda  Forum for Agricultural forum for Agricultural Advisory (UFAAS)  and Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, GAO-UG has rolled out capacity-building programmes focused on agronomy, modern farming techniques, crop and soil nutrition, pest and disease management and climate-resilient practices. Furthermore, GAO-UG has strengthened market linkages through partnerships with buyers, ensuring fair pricing and reduced exploitation.

The impact of GAO-UG’s initiatives is evident on multiple levels, at the community level, GAO-UG has directly supported over 25,103 smallholder farmers, including 17,573 women, 7,530 men, and more than 50 PWDs. These farmers have benefited from increased access to quality seeds, extension services, microfinance credit, and reliable market linkages. GAO-UG has also recruited and trained over 50 CAPs who support last-mile delivery of products and services who now earn an average of UGX 200,000 (USD 50–60) per month, enhancing rural employment and self-reliance. Notably, each season, participating farmers cultivate high-value crops such as maize, sunflower, soybeans, and others across 2–3 acres, collectively generating an estimated $3.49 million USD in total value added to the local economy. The frontline service providers also known as CAPs, are often recruited from the same communities they serve, which strengthens trust and local engagement. At the national level, GAO-UG business model aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s development goals, focusing on agricultural commercialisation, youth employment, and climate-smart agriculture. The construction of 257 hand-dug wells and 250 solar-powered water irrigation systems has mitigated water scarcity, enabling year-round agricultural production in the region. At the international level, GAO-UG continues to grow its visibility and influence by participating in regional and international knowledge-sharing platforms and conferences hosted by partners such as RUFORUM, the Mastercard Foundation, and other development actors. Through these engagements, GAO-UG has positioned itself as a youth-led model for agricultural transformation in Africa, sharing best practices and scaling impact.

Ambassador Elizabeth Paula Napeyok, Uganda’s ambassador to Italy, was present with the GAO-UG team at the Macfrut 2025 Expo in Rimini, Italy

Environmental considerations

As part of GAO-UG’s environmental awareness efforts, the organisation promotes the use of eco-friendly briquettes made from agricultural waste such as sheanut shells as sustainable alternatives to charcoal and firewood, helping reduce deforestation and indoor air pollution. Notably, GAO-UG has promoted clean energy by selling 2,549 affordable biomass briquettes for cooking, supporting eco-friendly agricultural practices across Northern Uganda.  Furthermore, its advisory services train farmers on environmentally responsible practices such as conservation tillage, agroforestry, crop rotation, and organic soil management to maintain soil health and enhance biodiversity and provide solar-powered water irrigation solutions to reduce dependence on diesel and other fossil fuels. To reinforce its commitment to reforestation, every farmer the organisation works with is encouraged to plant at least ten sheanut or other indigenous trees per season or protect those already existing on their farmland. Additionally, GAO-UG will soon be launching a School Sheanut Tree Planting Programme, where every child in a partner school will be encouraged to plant at least five (5) to ten (10) sheanut trees per term, nurturing a generation that values environmental stewardship from an early age.

While unintended positive consequences increased collaboration among farmers and a stronger sense of community solidarity, challenges such as resistance to change and the need for continuous capacity building and research remains. The organisation also faces gaps in digital infrastructure, which hampers full digitisation of their products and services such as input distribution, advisory delivery, and market access tracking. Moreover, limited rural infrastructure, such as poor road networks and inadequate storage facilities continues to hinder efficient delivery of products and services. Nevertheless, the interventions have laid the foundation for long-term agricultural sustainability, resilience, and improved livelihoods in Northern Uganda.

Looking ahead

GAO-UG envisions reaching over 100,000 smallholder farmers across Uganda within the next five to ten years.  Plans include establishing regional input and service hubs, fully digitising operations, and expanding clean energy solutions.  This goal is to develop a farmer-owned agri-tech platform for real-time advisory services, digital market access, ensuring that the benefits of agricultural innovation reach grassroot level.

The journey of GAO-UG reflects not only the reliance and determination of its founder but also the transformative power of agriculture in Africa. By fostering opportunity, mentorship, and sustainable practices, GAO-UG is committed to empowering communities and ensuring that no one is left behind in pursuit of agricultural excellence.

Testimonials  

Akullu Agnes

“Before, I didn’t know much about good farming practices—I just planted and hoped for the best. But through the support from GAO-UG LIMITED and our CAPs, I’ve learned a lot. Now, I prepare my land properly, use recommended spacing, apply fertilizer at the right time, and follow every step carefully. I’ve also stopped drying maize on bare ground and use tarpaulins instead to keep it clean and market-ready. This season, I’m expecting at least 4,500 kilograms from my three hectares, and if the prices stay good, I could earn over UGX 3 million. This is a big step forward for me and my family.”

Akello Magarate Ruth, 30

“I used to plant any seed I could get, without knowing if it was good or not. But everything changed when GAO-UG LIMITED, through the CAPs, supported us with quality seeds and taught us proper agronomic practices. From spacing to timely weeding and pest control, I’ve learned to manage my two hectares of maize better. The CAPs are always nearby to guide us, and that gives me confidence. This season, I expect a good harvest—because now I know what I’m doing, and I’m doing it right. Thank you GAO-UG for bringing knowledge closer to us.”

Opio Oscar, Community Agricultural Promoter (CAP)

“Every Tuesday and Friday, farmers from the community come to learn from the demonstration garden set up by GAO-UG LIMITED. We don’t just talk—we show real practices in action. As a CAP, I’ve seen how these sessions are changing mindsets. Farmers observe how improved seeds, fertilizers, and good spacing work, then go home and apply it in their own gardens. It’s powerful. I’m proud to be part of this transformation in our community.”

Akello Prossy, Community Agricultural Promoter (Aromo Subcounty)

“Through GAO-UG LIMITED, we were trained as a Community Agricultural Promoter (CAP) to deliver bundled agricultural products and services to farmers in my area. This opportunity has not only helped farmers improve their practices but has also empowered me economically. I now earn at least UGX 200,000 every month from this work. I’m truly grateful to GAO-UG for giving us the skills and a chance to grow both professionally and financially.”