Umar I Kamarah

Understanding agricultural value-chain in Uganda's dairy sector Umar I Kamarah

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing one of the worst crises in recent history. The economic outlook looks brighter for 2021, thanks for the availability of vaccines. Still, the recovery will be gradual. So, governments should not let up on their efforts to support health systems, farmer organizations and the hardest hit firms. The aim of this article is to show how understanding the formation of farmers groups and rural producer organizations in pre-and post-CIVID- 19 era is key to agricultural development in Uganda. More precisely, the article contributes to shedding light on value chain development - especially in relation to increasing farmers' incomes, sustainable management of natural resources, job creation and poverty alleviation in rural areas. Through careful analysis of the Ugandan case study, the article highlights the different roles that smallholder farmer organizations can play before and during the coronavirus pandemic (pre- & post COVID-19 era). In a nutshell, it is important to note that Rural Producer Organizations (RPOs) play a crucial role in the development of rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa.