In a bid to tackle the challenges facing potato production, farmer trainers and agronomists affiliated with prominent associations, including Farm to Table Limited, Uganda National Seed Potato Growers, Kisoro Potato Growers Union, and Kachwekano Zonal Research and Development Institute (KAZARDI), have undergone comprehensive training in crucial aspects of the potato value chain.

 The training, which took place during a workshop at the Batuma Community Foundation in Bubaare Town Council, Rubanda District, focused on enhancing fertilizer utilization, efficient plant production techniques, and water management.

The initiative aligns with the "Innovating the Uganda Potato Value Chain" project, aimed at transforming potato cultivation. Funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) through the Sustainable Development Goals Partnership (SGCP) facility, this project is being executed by Delphy, a global leader in field cultivation services.

The project's implementation began in August 2022 and is slated to continue until 2025. Its primary objective is to bolster the commercialization of potato seeds and ware production, rendering potato farming economically viable for local growers.

Niek Vedelaar, Delphy General Advisor on Arable Farming, highlighted that the central goal of the project is to establish a market-oriented, interlinked, and economically sustainable value chain encompassing both seed and ware potatoes. This chain extends from individual farmers to Uganda's potato processing industry.

 He emphasized the need for farmers to adopt this novel approach, projecting increased yields while maintaining lower production costs.

Timony Niwomukama, the project manager of "Innovating the Uganda Potato Value Chain," emphasized the positive outcomes the project anticipates. These encompass elevated yields, improved potato seed quality, better market conditions, and an increase in household income at both family and farm levels.

Furthermore, Niwomukama revealed plans to establish an Innovation and Training Centre in collaboration with the Batuma Community Foundation. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training to farmers and agronomists, disseminating advanced agricultural practices.

Alvin Batuma, the Executive Director of the Batuma Community Foundation, highlighted a significant transformation in the potato landscape through the "Innovating the Uganda Potato Value Chain" project under the Sustainable Development Goals Partnership. He emphasized how this initiative has led to increased production of quality potatoes with a stable and dependable market.

Project beneficiaries underscore the project's effectiveness in addressing various challenges.

According to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Irish potatoes serve as both a staple food and an income source for farmers. Approximately 60% of the crop originates from the highlands of South Western Uganda, specifically the Kabale, Rubanda, and Kisoro districts. Annual production is estimated to range from 800,000 to 1,000,000 metric tons.