Top officials from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kampala, accompanied by representatives from Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, visited farmers and agribusinesses in northern Uganda’s Lira District on October 15-16, 2024. The delegation reviewed the progress of the STAR Project, led by the International Trade Centre (ITC), aimed at fortifying small businesses against climate change.
During the visit, the delegation met with local officials, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and business support organizations to discuss the STAR project’s initiatives. The project, active in 10 districts including Lira, assists 60 small businesses—12 of them based in Lira—in improving market positioning, branding, packaging, and resilience to climate change.
Heejo Choi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting the positive impact the STAR Project is having on local businesses. “It is encouraging to see how these businesses are strengthening their position in the market while enhancing their ability to withstand environmental challenges,” said Choi.
The delegation visited several enterprises, including TUA Uganda SMC Limited (cassava flour production), Keri Naturals SMC Ltd (shea butter production), and Youth For Life Tree Planting Ltd (oilseed farming). They also visited the Odongowee Youth Group, which is receiving training in climate-smart agriculture and farm planning through a collaboration between ITC and World Vision.
The STAR Project focuses on building resilience at the start of the value chain, offering training in crop diversification, use of drought-resistant seeds, and efficient water management. Farmers have also been trained in pre-season planning to make data-driven decisions based on weather forecasts.
The delegation further visited the Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NgettaZARDI), which conducts agricultural research and provides technical support to farmers. Discussions centered on how the STAR Project has strengthened governance and disaster risk management strategies within the institute, particularly through gender-sensitive training and performance measurement.
The STAR Project aims to empower farmer groups and businesses working with shea, cassava, and oilseeds by providing improved services, agricultural extension, and climate-resilient seeds to promote sustainable agriculture.
