Resettlement & Agricultural Assistance

In 2006-2007, Pilgrim resettled 840 families (a total of 5,880 persons) from the refugee camps back to their original villages by providing them resettlement packages in form of 2 months food rations, farm tools, seeds and counseling. These households are becoming once again self-reliant and dignified. Most of the resettled farmers have also been encouraged to form farmer groups, and as collectives, are generating further ideas for improved income.

Under this very successful program, with only $80 per household per year, Pilgrim is able to:

• Train and prepare one household for resettlement.
• Provide basic farming tools, like hand hoes, pangas, sickles, etc.
• Provide seeds and planting materials i.e. cassava cuttings.
• Provide agricultural extension support, training, and evaluation.

After the recent floods and crop losses, we would like to implement a quick recovery program in order to enable farmers to grow early-yield crops that will bridge the gap of 6-7 months before the harvest time in August-September 2008. This response will cut down on the much more costly relief food aid.

In 2008 we plan to expand the number of farmer groups to 100, or 2,500 households.

Other goals for 2008 include:

• Transforming the farmer groups into full-fledged cooperative associations
• Erecting greenhouses to raise fruits and vegetables cheaply
• Establishing fruit and vegetable processing plants in Soroti
• Assisting 1,000 households to each plant one acre of fruits and vegetables

Join our efforts by making a donation that will help restore livelihoods to the people of this region.