The vast majority of Ugandan people rely on agriculture as their main source of income and food security. But unstable weather conditions, pests, lack of training, and unsuitable equipment have meant farmers have low yields, and sometimes no yields at all. This results in insufficient food for their families, removing children from school, and having no funds for health care.

International Needs Australia (INA), is improving the incomes and food security of farmers and their families in rural Ugandan communities by supporting them to move from subsistence to productive small-scale farming. Through existing and new farmers' groups and cooperatives, the Income Enhancement for Farmers (IEF) project provides education in areas such as sustainable agricultural practices, the selection of crops, water and soil conservation techniques, and modern farming inputs.

Selected farmers have been provided with improved, drought-resistant seed and/or livestock, via a loan scheme. Along with existing training, farmers can now substantially increase their productivity, giving them the ability to pay back their loan, expand investments, and provide for the education and health needs of their children. At least 85% of the farmers are able to provide two or more meals a day for their families.

Participants in the project have described it as transformational. Rosemary (pictured) is a farmer and mother who knows firsthand how support from INA can dramatically change a life. Rosemary and husband Wallace have their own children, but have also taken on caring for their niece and nephew, Patrick and Brenda. Extending the family by two was a huge demand on Rosemary and Wallace's resources.

Wallace works in a sugar factory, but the pay is low and the work is irregular. The family relies on Rosemary to farm their 3-acre plot. Because of the family's situation, an INA-supported farmer's group identified Rosemary as eligible for assistance through the IEF project. Rosemary was loaned 700,000 Ugandan Shillings (approximately $245 AUD), and received training in improved farming practices – learning the best way to plant seed, manage land and increase harvest. The 3,000kg of maize harvested was greater than the family had ever received!

Rosemary used the money from selling her harvest to pay off the loan, buy a heifer, provide nutritious food for all of her extended family, and most importantly, send her children to school. She hopes the heifer will boost her family's income through the sale of milk, while contributing to a good, nutritious diet for her family. As she says, "My life is so different now. I used to be worried about having enough food for my family, but now our children are no longer hungry."

Rosemary, and thousands like her, continues to earn and save money, with assistance through INA's IEF program.

INA works locally in partnership with International Needs Uganda (INUG) and is supported through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).