Impact evaluation
Hybrid market systems development to reinforce system resilience and climate preparedness
Results and lessons learned from promoting sustainable potato cultivation in Uganda
- Published by
- IFDC
- Project implementer
- International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
- Donor
- Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Programme
- Resilient Efficient Agribusiness Chains (REACH)
- Results level
- Poverty reduction
- Intervention types
- Improved access to finance
- Improved value chain coordination
The Hybrid Market Systems Development to Reinforce System Resilience and Climate Preparedness programme focuses on promoting sustainable potato cultivation in Uganda. Launched in 2016, this programme aims to enhance system resilience and climate preparedness by addressing key systemic bottlenecks in the potato market.
A hybrid approach requires clear vision of how a system should work sustainably, inclusively and with sufficient resilience. This report explores how Resilient Efficient Agribusiness Chains (REACH) adopted a hybrid approach to potato cultivation in Uganda, which was already facing more extreme weather patterns.
Going hybrid means gradually and carefully adapting the MSD approach to diverse contexts and circumstances. Whereas direct delivery approaches have become more market-based, MSD has moved in the opposite direction - remaining systemic yet more adaptive and responsive to context.
Intervention description
Key interventions included establishing a local commercial seed multiplication industry, creating last-mile distribution systems for fertilisers and crop protection products, deepening financial inclusion through agro-financing, and improving rural infrastructure.
The programme partnered with local seed businesses (LSBs), integrated seed businesses (ISBs), financial institutions such as the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), and local district governments. Activities involved training farmers on good agricultural practices (GAPs) and climate-smart agriculture (CSA), supporting the establishment of seed potato supply chains, and rehabilitating feeder roads.
Partners adopted the promoted models, and there was evidence of behaviour change, with farmers increasing their use of quality inputs and improved practices. For example, by 2023, the ISBs were projected to meet 26 per cent of the national demand for seed potatoes.