Kilimo Kisasa Ltd – Value chain and agro-enterprise development support (Uganda)

Kilimo Kisasa is a social enterprise specialized in commercial highland Irish potato farming, seed development & sales, training and extension, regenerative agriculture, and economic development. It is located in the highlands of the Albertine Rift, in the Ugandan-Congolese cross-border area north of Lake Albert, and specializes in the development and sustainable production of seed potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) for regional farmers. The profits made from this business flow directly back into the community and the ecosystems they depend on.

Ecopolis has supported Kilimo Kisasa since it started in Uganda in 2017. Our support includes providing strategic advice, specialized training, and targeted investments aimed at enhancing value chain efficiency and agro-enterprise development. This continuous support has established Kilimo Kisasa and Ecopolis as trusted partners in numerous projects, driving sustainable agricultural practices and economic resilience in the region.

Regenerative Agriculture development (Uganda) 

Throughout our work in agro-enterprise development is Ecopolis’ strong belief that agriculture can strengthen nature instead of work against it. Our initiatives in Uganda focus on improving sustainability in various agricultural value chains. We support farmers in setting up regenerative food forests, tree nurseries, compost systems, and biopesticides. By integrating these practices, we aim to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance, while fostering a sustainable agricultural framework that supports local communities and revitalizes the natural environment (picture by Mark Dieleman).

Sustainable Development Goals Programme by RVO: Innovating the Uganda Potato Value Chain (Uganda)
Ecopolis, in collaboration with its trusted partner Kilimo Kisasa, provides technical support on sustainable seed potato production and institutional development for a sustainable seed potato support system in Kabale, Uganda. This initiative is part of the Sustainable Development Goals Programme (SDGP), headed by RVO Netherlands, the Dutch agency responsible for promoting international business and cooperation. Through this partnership, we aim to innovate the potato value chain, enhancing productivity and sustainability in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Tailor Made Training – Agro-enterprise finance needs assessment and negotiation (Burundi) 

With Ecopolis' extensive experience in developing the potato value chain in Uganda, we provided a Tailor Made Training (TMT) in Burundi focused on the opportunities and requirements for establishing a seed potato farm and its associated value chain. This training encompassed a comprehensive finance needs assessment and negotiation strategies, equipping participants with the knowledge to enable the establishment of this business. The initiative has opened new pathways for sustainable agricultural development and economic growth in Burundi, laying the groundwork for a robust seed potato industry.

Refresher Course - Skills and business conditions development of re- starting South-Sudanese private IDP entrepreneurs (Uganda & South Sudan)

As part of the Orange Knowledge Platform of Nuffic, Ecopolis delivered a refresher course to strengthen the capacity of a local NGO working with South-Sudanese IDPs. The goal was to support this NGO in helping South-Sudanese IDPs create the right conditions for re-establishing their businesses. This initiative focused on enhancing skills and business conditions, providing a foundation for sustainable economic development and entrepreneurship among displaced communities.

Tailor Made Training – TVET training development in adaptive on-enterprise potato tissue culture (Uganda) 

As part of the Orange Knowledge Platform of Nuffic, Ecopolis organised a TMT, with the main objectives to improve skills in potato value chain management, focusing on quality seed potato provision and availability, and to develop a private sector-based practical TVET training module in potato tissue culture. The course successfully provided participants with a practical understanding of the Ugandan potato value chain's organisation, potentials, and bottlenecks, particularly concerning the availability of clean and quality local seed base material. Additionally, participants gained the knowledge and skills to apply basic techniques of potato meristem culture, enhancing the national seed potato production.

Tailor Made Training - IDP-based sustainable economic reconstruction in the South Sudan-Ugandan cross-border area

This project provided hands-on training to CTEN, a local NGO in Arua City, to enable them to identify successful and sustainable private economic activities of South Sudanese IDPs in collaboration with economic development support providers in the cross-border area. The training included assessing the required key competences of actors involved in sustainable private economic reconstruction activities and translating these competences into the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes to be incorporated into TVET course curricula. Additionally, the project identified suitable permanent TVET providers in South Sudan and Uganda interested in adapting or developing new curricula for economic reconstruction activities. The project culminated in the elaboration of a draft pilot curriculum for South Sudanese IDPs, which was implemented by permanent TVET providers in South Sudan and Uganda, focusing on sustainable private economic enterprise for reconstruction in the cross-border region.

Tailor Made Training - Cross-border business coaching of IDP entrepreneurs (South-Sudan)

In this TMT, Ecopolis collaborated with existing groups of business people with whom we have established strong relationships. We partnered with the refugee-led youth group YFTC to support business groups within their own communities. The training covered key topics such as creating business plans, understanding the difference between mentoring and coaching, ensuring safety, and empowering successful businesspeople to mentor and coach each other. This initiative aimed to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills and support networks of IDP entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable economic growth and resilience in the South Sudan cross-border region.