The project area:
CAPCA project is implemented by the agencies namely:Caritas MADDO in Masaka-Bukomansimbi District, CIDI in Rakai District, Caritas Kampala in Mpigi District, TWG in Wakiso District, Caritas Kiyinda-Mityana in Mityana and Mubende Districts, Caritas Kasanensis in Luweero and Nakaseke Districts and Caritas Lugazi in Mukono District.
Problems addressed by CAPCA
Poverty
Poverty is the main problem that partners have attempted to address in their areas of operation for the past years. However, the challenge is still big. Most farmers are subsistence farmers who practice traditional methods with the associated low production, compounding the problems of food insecurity and low incomes rampant in the communities.
Poor agriculture practices
Poor agriculture practices continue to affect production in the areas of operation. These have been attributed to inadequate extension services and lack of appropriate technology transfers from research institutions due to poor facilitation that has resulted in the use of poor farming practices and the related low productivity of the soil. The majority of farmers have limited exposure, knowledge and skills which have also contributed to an increase in the occurrence and prevalence of diseases such as the coffee wilt, the banana bacterial wilt and swine fever.
Poor health affecting production
Poor health of farmers affects production at household level. The CAPCA project has attempted to address constraints of good health at household level, including poor nutrition, poor sanitation and hygiene and HIV/AIDS as key constraints affecting productivity of labour.
Gender inequality and dependency on women labour
Gender inequality and dependency on women labour for agriculture production is still a major contributing factor to low production and poor incomes. In the CAPCA project, men and women were trained in gender issues in agricultural production.
Inaccessibility to farm inputs
Inaccessibility to improved farm inputs and improved varieties of crops and livestock is still a major cause of low agricultural production in Uganda. These inputs are either expensive and or out of reach of the ordinary farmer.
Unsustainable use of natural resources and environment
Low agriculture production, food insecurity and poverty are also attributed to unsustainable harvesting of natural resources and poor environmental protection. Farmers were supported to establish tree nurseries at sub county and group levels and encouraged to plant multi-purpose trees that boost their soil fertility while improving their household incomes and energy requirements in the home.
Poor marketing systems and weak financial base
Poor farmers organization is yet another challenge affecting production and marketing. Production levels continue to be low. In the target communities, a period of food inadequacy usually follows immediately after the peak production. The target communities are also challenged by market access for their produce. They also lack market information.
