Kiryandongo District is set to benefit from a major climate-resilient agricultural investment aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and transforming seasonal farm surpluses into marketable products, district leaders have announced.

The district will receive a Shs 5.87 billion Dehydrated Products Supply Chain Development Project to be implemented by Excel Hort Consult with funding support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The development was revealed during a district stakeholders’ meeting held on February 26 at the Kiryandongo District Headquarters, bringing together local government leaders, technical officers, development partners, and farmer representatives.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Charles Lwanga Malingu, Project Manager at Excel Hort Consult, said the initiative introduces a solar-assisted dehydration system designed to provide a climate-resilient and market-oriented solution to agricultural production challenges faced by farmers.

Dr. Malingu explained that the technology will enable farmers to convert seasonal agricultural surpluses into shelf-stable and tradable food products, reducing wastage during peak harvest periods while expanding access to regional and national markets.

“The project leverages solar-assisted dehydration as a sustainable solution that addresses climate variability while promoting inclusive local enterprise and market development,” he noted.

The project will directly benefit 1,000 smallholder farmer households drawn from both refugee settlement and host communities across Kiryandongo District. Priority value chains identified for intervention include cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, okra, and cabbage, commodities widely grown in the district but often affected by post-harvest losses.

Officials say the intervention is expected to strengthen food security, improve household incomes, and promote economic self-reliance among refugees and nationals.

Kiryandongo hosts one of Uganda’s largest refugee populations, placing increasing pressure on livelihoods and agricultural systems. The project is therefore expected to contribute significantly to sustainable coexistence and shared economic opportunities.

Upon completion, the project will establish two solar-powered dehydration hubs within the district. These facilities will provide farmers with affordable services including drying, sorting, grading, milling, packaging, and storage.

The hubs are expected to serve not only Kiryandongo farmers but also producers from neighboring districts, positioning the area as a regional center for value addition and agro-processing.

Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer Anselm Kyaligonza welcomed the initiative and urged FAO and Excel Hort Consult to prioritize local participation during implementation.

He emphasized the need to involve local agro-input dealers by allowing them to supply farm inputs required by beneficiary households, noting that such an approach would strengthen local businesses and enhance community ownership of the project.

“This will help localize the project and ensure sustainability beyond donor support,” Kyaligonza said.

The CAO further pledged full technical and political backing from district authorities to guarantee successful implementation.

Stakeholders at the meeting described the project as timely, especially as farmers increasingly face unpredictable weather patterns that affect production and storage.

By promoting renewable energy-powered processing and structured market access, the initiative is expected to reduce food losses, stabilize prices, and create new agribusiness opportunities along the agricultural value chain.

Once operational, the dehydration supply chain project is anticipated to transform Kiryandongo’s agricultural sector from largely subsistence production to commercial, climate-resilient, and market-driven farming, contributing to long-term rural economic growth.