Uganda Feed the Future CPM ex-post evaluation

USAID’s Feed the Future (FtF) Commodity Production and Marketing (CPM) Activity, implemented in Uganda between 2013 and 2018, intended to enhance agricultural value chains by incentivising good agricultural practices during cultivation and market sales. 

This programme improved the value chain by facilitating interactions between key actors, exporters, traders and village agents, and farmers. The intended impact of the CPM Activity is to promote best farming practices and provide resources to buttress the production and sale of beans, coffee, and maize. 

This study retrospectively evaluates the spillover and sustained impact of the CPM Activity after it ended in 2018.

It reports that, generally, within the sampled population, spillover and sustainability is positive. The CPM Activity interventions spilled over into other areas, creating positive impacts for non-CPM Activity participants and opportunities of upward mobility for individuals who engaged Activity. 

Additionally, the sustainability of the Activity is continuing due to demand and expansion of the existing support structures.

Intervention description

The programme implemented several key interventions aimed at improving agricultural value chains for beans, coffee, and maize.

Specific activities included promoting good agricultural practices, enhancing training, and facilitating interactions between key actors such as exporters, traders, and village agents (VAs).

The project introduced business models such as buyer-linked VAs and village service agents (VSAs), which were positively received by partners. For example, five out of seven exporters expanded their business to new districts by adopting CPM Activity models and working with more VAs and traders. Traders and VAs continued to provide various services to farmers, including market information and quality control, even after the project's completion in 2018.

Evidence methodology

The evaluation utilised a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection.

Quantitative data was gathered through surveys of traders, VAs, and farmers using a stratified clustered sampling design.

Qualitative data was collected via key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with participants and non-participants of the CPM Activity.

The evaluation covered two regions, the West and the North, chosen for their distinct characteristics in terms of the number of VAs and farmers. Data collection was conducted in-person and via phone, adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols​.