Minister Gidudu handing certificates of attendance to the facilitators/ Stephen Eligu
As the initiative to grow 10 million cashew nut seedlings gains momentum in the Teso sub-region, at least 30 basic community facilitators have been trained to sensitize and monitor communities for the program’s rollout. Launched on May 17th by the State Minister for Elderly Affairs, Dominic Gidudu Mafabi, the initiative aims to economically empower older persons in the districts of Amuria, Kapelebyong, and Katakwi.
In each of the three districts, approximately 120 farmers—from 99 parishes in Katakwi, 123 parishes in Amuria, and 54 parishes in Kapelebyong—will each receive about 70 cashew nut seedlings to plant on one acre of land.
Following the training, the facilitators, who also serve as trainers, received bicycles to aid their fieldwork. They are expected to begin mobilizing, monitoring, and evaluating farmers’ readiness to receive the seedlings in due course.
The five-day training was conducted by Elgon Cooking Oil Limited in partnership with GIZ, Agro Care Limited, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of State for Elderly Affairs. Spanning 18 months, the program aims to improve the socio-economic welfare of 50,000 out-growers across the region. The facilitators were equipped with skills to raise public awareness about cashew nut cultivation.
Experts note that a cashew nut tree can live for over 100 years, and the crop’s introduction is expected to help reduce poverty in Teso households. Minister Gidudu, who closed the training in Amuria District, said the introduction of cashew nuts will provide a reliable source of income for older persons and their families.
Isaac Gidudu, the Chief Executive Officer of Elgon Cooking Oil and head of the program, noted that cashew nuts are now among the most reliable crops. He assured participants that once the monitoring phase is complete, seedlings will be distributed to farmers free of charge.
John Peter Erimu Anyau, a technical expert at Agro Care Limited and one of the program initiators, said the initiative will first be implemented in the three districts before expanding across the rest of Teso and Northern Uganda. Moses Ibwala, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Amuria, stressed the importance of family unity and commitment to ensure the program’s success. He called on the Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) to be exemplary.
The initiative has already been well-received in the community. Rev. Charles Amunya, a community facilitator from Apeduru Sub County, welcomed the program, describing it as a much-needed intervention for Teso. “This is a very good eye-opener,” he said. “I believe this will bring wealth for generations. We have not had a cash crop like this since the days of cotton. We have primarily relied on food crops. It is my prayer that all Iteso embrace this program for their welfare and that of future generations.”
Cashew nuts are hardy crops suited to semi-arid regions, making them ideal for the climate of Teso. Scientists have also highlighted their health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, conditions common among the elderly. Targeting individuals aged 65–79, the project aims to offer a stable source of income and improve the quality of life for older persons in the region. The program is being implemented by Elgon Cooking Oil-Mbale and GACAMI, a non-profit organization, with funding from the German development agency GIZ.
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