SDG 1
No Poverty
Increasing incomes and strengthening livelihoods helps families move beyond subsistence and reduce vulnerability.
Core Model
Village Cooperatives
Farmers working together to produce, finance, and sell better.
The Challenge
Transforming Smallholder Farming into Sustainable Livelihoods
We empower smallholder farmers through village cooperative systems that combine climate-smart agriculture, access to finance, and market linkages.
Smallholder farmers in rural Uganda face erratic rainfall, limited access to quality inputs, weak market systems, and restricted access to finance.
Why This Program Matters
Agriculture is the Backbone of Rural Livelihoods
Many smallholder farmers remain trapped in low productivity and low-income cycles because the system around them is fragile.
62.3%
of households are engaged in agriculture nationally.
70%+
of Ugandans depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
80.2%
of agricultural households primarily farm for subsistence.
60%+
of smallholder farmers experience low crop productivity.
<30%
of farmers access formal or affordable agricultural financing.
Our Approach
The Village Cooperative Model
At the core of our program is a community-driven model that organizes farmers into structured Village Cooperatives to improve how they produce, access finance, and engage with markets.
Through these cooperatives, farmers move from working individually to operating as organized economic actors with stronger voice and bargaining power.
Production Improvement
Climate-smart training, quality inputs, soil health support, demonstration farms, and seasonal technical guidance.
Market Access
Post-harvest handling, produce aggregation, reliable buyer linkages, price information, and collective selling to strengthen bargaining power.
Financing & Literacy
Savings groups, input financing, access to credit, and practical financial management training.
A Fully Integrated Livelihood System
A Coordinated System for Real Income Growth
What sets COSMA apart is the integration of production, financing, and market access into one coordinated system. By connecting these elements, productivity gains can translate into real and sustained income growth.
1
Produce More
Boost yields through climate-smart practices.
2
Sell Better
Reach markets through collective selling.
3
Invest Confidently
Use accessible finance and stronger planning.
The Impact We Seek
Transforming Rural Economies
- Increased and more stable rural household incomes.
- Greater resilience to economic and climate-related shocks.
- Improved food security for farming households.
- Stronger household capacity to invest in education.
- Sustainable, community-driven economic systems.
SDG Alignment
Agriculture and the Sustainable Development Goals
COSMA's agriculture programme directly advances four of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals - reducing poverty, ending hunger, creating decent livelihoods, and building climate resilience in rural communities.
SDG 2
Zero Hunger
Improved productivity and food systems enhance food security at household and community levels.
SDG 8
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Village cooperatives and market access help farmers participate more effectively in local economies.
SDG 13
Climate Action
Climate-smart practices help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and build resilience to shocks.
Get Involved
Support Smallholder Farmers to Build Sustainable Livelihoods
Together, we can unlock the potential of rural communities in Uganda through practical support, partnership, and investment.