AWOJA RIVERSIDE FARM

 A hub of agricultural learning, training and production, complemented with Agro-tourism

AGRO-TOURISM

Awoja Riverside – Farm & Leisure Park is a hub of agricultural learning, training and production, complemented with agro-tourism. Agricultural demos/trainings and agritourism are our core businesses. Our demographic focus is especially youth and women. Founded as a sole entrepreneurship, today it has opened up and now constitutes an association of small-scale farmers, some, owners of fragmented plots of  land, all now bulked together. Others are renters of those said plots.

The farm is located in rural Awoja (Soroti county) since its founding in 2014. It sits adjacent to the marshes of River Awoja, at the convergence of the districts of Soroti, Ngora, and Katakwi, and within easy proximity of many districts in the sub-regions of Teso, Bugisu, Karamoja, and Lango.

PARTNERSHIPS

Awoja Riverside farm has transitioned into a grouping of practicing farmers. These are a mix of landlords and guest farmers (renters), from within and without the locality. Partnerships over the years include:

1. GIZ & SOCADIDO

GIZ and SOCADIDO (Soroti Catholic Diocese Devt Organisation). RGIL (Promoting Responsible Governance of Investments in Land) Project. Awoja Riverside Farm is the overall lead farm, with an association of more than sixty local farms in the districts of Soroti and Katakwi. Awoja Riverside Farm provides mentorship to the other farms. 2021 – todate.

2. GIZ & RELAPU

GIZ and Africa Agribusiness Alliance.  RELAPU (Responsible Land Use Policy in Uganda). Awoja Riverside Farm is the overall lead farm, with an association of more than sixty local farms in the districts of Soroti and Katakwi. Awoja Riverside Farm provides mentorship to the other farms. 2018 – 2020.

3. International Dev't Research Centre (IDRC)

IDRC (International Development Research Centre) - Nairobi. Enhancing Agribusiness Economic Opportunities of Women and Girls. In consortium with Centre for Basic Research and School of Economics – Makerere University. 600 young women and males trained in horticulture, poultry, piggery, in Soroti and Serere by Awoja Riverside farm. 2018 – 2020

4. Ministry of Water & Environment

Under a Public Private Partnership, Water for production project is meant to improve livelihoods in rural areas through increasing the storage volumes of water for production. Awoja Riverside Farm is the modal farm, hosting more than 20 farmers learning and earning from horticulture. 2018 – todate.

5. East African Seed Co.

The East African Seed Co. whose partnership with Awoja Riverside entails trainings in agronomy, running agriculture demos, and supply of their inputs at preferential prices to farmers, under the umbrella of Awoja Riverside farm. 2015 – todate.

6. Osho Agriculture Chemical Co

whose partnership specialises in the promotion of responsible usage of especially agro-chemicals. They have trained youth and farmers at Awoja Riverside farm.  2017 – todate.

7. AVSI

AVSI: Under a partnership with AVSI in the project SKY (Skilling Youth for Employment in Agribusiness), Awoja Riverside farm skilled 500 youth in horticulture. 2016– 2020.
A second partnership with AVSI, in the project SAY (Skilling in Agri-preneurship for increased Youth employment), 65 youth completed skilling in horticulture: open field and greenhouse. July 2021 – July 2022.

8. Internships

Busitema University ,  Arapai Agricultural College in Soroti District;, Wera Technical College in  Amuria District  and Kasodo Technical College in Pallisa District. Awoja Riverside Farm has an institutional cooperation with these colleges, to host their students for internship. 2017 – todate. 
National Agriculture Instructors College – Abilonino. Awoja Riverside Farm was one of the 32 selected nationally, to host trainee agriculture instructors. 2020– todate

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SERVICES

PRODUCTION

The farm’s lead business is production for the market. We exhibit agricultural ecosystems. Crop husbandry includes greenhouse farming, open field gardens, backyard farming, water and soil management, among others. Animal husbandry so far, encompasses; poultry, goat and sheep rearing.

TRAINING AND DEMOS

This is one of the farm’s very principal programmatic activities. The trainings and demos are tailored engagements (internships, mentorship, apprenticeships, and excursions) in a spectrum of agricultural enterprises. The farm has established units which are used primarily to demonstrate good practices, according an opportunity for practical learning. The farm conducts trainings on-site, providing accommodation at its hostels at the farm. As well, there are outreach programmes (satellite). Groups are trained where they are. This embeds extension support to those groups. The third methodology is a blend of the above (satellite/outreach and on-site).

AGRIBUSINESS SERVICES

All the products, above, are market driven. Sales outlets, dubbed Riverside Farm Fresh, are being set up on the Mbale-Soroti highway and eventually, in the central market in Soroti City. We do some value addition by making fresh organic juices. Farmers and farmer groups have been coalesced into a fraternity called FINE – U (Farmers In North and East Uganda). FINE – U is legally registered as a Farmers Organization and hosted at Awoja Riverside farm and leisure park, with a membership of more 140 individual members and 6 cooperatives,

TILLAGE AND AGRO-TRANSPORT SERVICES

The farm runs tractor services for tillage and transport, targeting small scale commercially oriented small-holder farmers. We are seeking a partnership to improve and promote draft animal powered (DAP) conservation farming.

AGRO FINANCING

Awoja Riverside farm plans to provide micro agriculture financing (and educational programmes) – to promote agripreneurship, especially to women and youth.

BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE DEV'T

Awoja Riverside farm is using the ILO Start Your Business (SYB) training curriculum, which aims to contribute to the creation of viable small agribusinesses by enabling them to carry out the steps to plan, start, and grow their businesses.

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY

Tourism at Awoja Riverside farm, is a blend of agro-, eco- and homestead tourism. The water body offers an array of attractions such as birds and alligators.

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

The poorest and vulnerable communities suffer the effects of climate change, most. The levels of vulnerability are heightened by such social factors as poverty, social marginalisation, gender barriers, and age. We are conscious about protection, enhancement and sustainable use of our environmental resources.

Top Comments

I love this farm. This is where I did my internship in Agricultural Studies way back in 2019

- John Paul Odida (Farmer)

I would love to visit the place again

- Mary Herrington (Tourist)

Our Partnership with Awoja Riverside Farm was a perfect way to end 2019!

- Kenya Seeds Company (Firm)