This project facilitates the organization and strengthening of small holder farmer groups in the Nkokonjeru region of Uganda by providing technical training in fruit and vegetable management and improving farmers’ access to simple and innovative production technologies. The specific project objectives are:

• Increase vegetable and fruit production through farmer field schools and strengthen farmers’ access to local and regional markets for vegetables and fruits;
• Strengthen local farmer group structure and capacity of local partners to support farmer groups;
• Increase participation of women in agricultural activities (research, education, outreach) in Nkokonjeru township and Mukono; and
• Enhance institutional capacity in agriculture at Uganda Christian University (UCU) and promote research and education exchange among UC Davis, UCU and other collaborating institutions.

Project activities include:

• expand local nursery to serve as information center and source for fruit and vegetable production;
• use farmer field schools to train farmers and strengthen farmer groups;
• provide research experience and outreach training to UCU students; iv) engage in participatory research of disruptive technologies within the farmer group framework;
• build capacity of RASD to support farmers through improved communication and institutional organization.