Uganda: Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement

A simplified production manual for common beans in Ugandan refugee settlements and host communities using Mak-Bio-Fixer

A simplified production manual for common beans in Ugandan refugee settlements and host communities using Mak-Bio-Fixer. A field study was conducted in Food System Lab Rwamwanja by Finn Church Aid- The use of Rhizobia inoculant was learnt to be a good innovation for improving soil productivity and common bean yield potential due to its affordability, […]

Kitchen gardening for increased access to diversified and nutritious foods in the Rwamwanja refugee settlement

The Rwamwanja refugee settlement faces significant challenges in ensuring access to diversified and nutritious foods. Refugees are allocated limited land – averaging 0.037 acres per household – which must accommodate both their homestead and gardening needs. This limited land, combined with a reliance on staple crops like maize and beans, restricts the production of nutrient-rich […]

Harnessing the power of Rhizobia Inoculants to boost bean productivity and enhance Food Security in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a key crop in the Rwamwanja refugee settlement in Southwest Uganda. It serves both as a staple food and an important source of income for refugees and the host community alike. According to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), beans contribute to a national per capita consumption rate […]

Transforming the Maize Market for Smallholder Farmers in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement

In Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement – Southwest Uganda, smallholder farmers face significant challenges in the maize market, including price fluctuations, limited market access, and exploitation by middlemen. To address these issues, Finn Church Aid (FCA) has implemented several innovative solutions through the Food System Lab Rwamwanja (FSL-RW). FSL-RW is one of the 10 Food System Labs in […]

Cultivating Progress: FSL Rwamwanja’s Transformative Impact in Uplifting Farmers

Text: Linda Kabuzire Videos: Kadlah Nabakembo The Rwamwanja Food System Lab (FSL-RW) is one of the 10 Food System Labs under the EU-funded HealthyFoodAfrica (HFA) research project. Directed by Finn Church Aid, FSL Rwamwanja has proven to be a transformative force in the lives of smallholder farmers in the Rwamwanja refugee settlement in southwest Uganda. […]

Woman harvesting small paprikas or chilies.

Improving refugee women’s access to nutritious food

Author: Kadlah Nabakembo, Finn Church Aid HealthyFoodAfrica project’s Food System Lab in Rwamwanja refugee settlement aims to increase the availability of diversified and nutritious food in the households of maize farming women. With increased income and availability of nutritious food in women’s households, the FSL intervenes to promote nutrition education and awareness among beneficiaries to […]

Woman tossing beans in the air with a sieve.

Higher prices for women producers – Improving the maize value chain

Author: Linda Kabuzire, Finn Church Aid HealthyFoodAfrica project’s Food System Lab Rwamwanja interventions focus on creating an attractive and favourable maize value chain for women maize producers and other value chain actors to increase their access to income. FSL Rwamwanja has established a community-based extension structure consisting of 10 model farmers selected from the 1,000 […]

Production of high-quality biofertilizers

The production of high-quality rhizobia inoculants (biofertilizers) for field application is crucial to enhance biomass production and yields of grain-legumes and also to improve soil health, resilience, and sustainable food production systems. Grain-legumes production or intercropped with non-legumes with the application of rhizobia inoculants are being conducted by the food systems labs at Bahir […]

How FSL-RW improved the nutrition and livelihood opportunities of refugee women in Rwamwanja refugee settlement

Author: Linda Kabuzire, Communications Officer, Finn Church Aid Uganda Over the past 2 years, the FSL has aimed to enhance the capacity of the participating women to sustain and improve their livelihood opportunities and well-being through enhancement of maize market access and diversification of nutritious foods. The Rwamwanja Food System Lab (FSL-RW) is one […]

A typical day in Rwamwanja Food System Lab is all about maize

Author: Linda Kabuzire, Finn Church Aid Food System Lab (FSL) Rwamwanja is located in Rwamwanja refugee settlement in Western Uganda. The refugee settlement hosts mainly refugees from Eastern DRC. A typical day at the FSL includes a series of activities focusing on increasing maize volumes, enhancing grain quality, and enhancing market access – a market […]