Vegetable Oil Development Project

Brief description of the public-private partnership (PPP)

The project was designed to alleviate Uganda's dependence on imported vegetable oils by supporting the domestic production and processing of palm oil. It was the first example of a PPP in Uganda.

In its first phase the project negotiated a tripartite collaboration between the government, a private company and smallholder farmers, to establish a plantation and processing units for the domestic production of vegetable oil on Bugala Island. The partnership was reinforced through mutual dependence: the palm oil mill provides a secure market for smallholder producers who guarantee a supply of raw material for processing.

In the second phase of the project the same collaborative business model is repeated in a new location, and also extends to oil seed production, in order to show how similar tripartite partnerships can be forged with other value chains.

Role of IFAD-supported project in the PPP

The IFAD-supported project financed the smallholder oil palm development through loans made to the government, designed and brokered the tripartite business model, and provided financial and technical support for the development of the smallholder outgrower schemes. It also helped establish a trust to link the smallholder farmers to the private company (OPUL - see description below) and mediate on their behalf.

Role of private sector

A conglomerate of private companies set up the nucleus estate and palm oil mill and refinery, and established Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL), to manage the plantation and processing units.

Smallholders grow and sell their crops to OPUL at a mutually agreed price. OPUL provides a ready market and complete support package to farmers, including seedlings, inputs, support with land preparation and technical advice. Smallholders have a 10 per cent share in OPUL.

Role of government

The government provided land on lease to the private sector partner to establish a nucleus estate, and also made funds available as start up loans to smallholder farmers, with flexible repayment conditions. The government also made improvements in local infrastructure and services – such as district roads and ferry transport.

How many rural people benefited?

More than 1,500 smallholder farmers are directly involved in production, while 2,000 are employed at the nucleus estate and 500 as field labourers on smaller plantations.

What are benefits to smallholder farmers?

• Price increases. Once the trees are mature farmers earn an estimated US$170 per acre per month.
• Considerable income increases and livelihood benefits (not quantified by the project)
• Employment creation for about 4,000 people.
• OPUL employees enjoy company benefits and subsidies.
• Producers have a 10 per cent share in Oil Palm Uganda Limited, and are represented on its board.
• Improved land tenure security, since participating farmers have had their land surveyed.
• Farmers have access to financial services and inputs needed for production. The private sector partner provides extension services and agronomical training.
• Community-level. Infrastructure facilities and services have improved dramatically, and have encouraged others to invest and develop the area. There is improved access to financial services on the island, food production has increased; idle land is being used for economic activities, which is improving the food security of the island. More children are being schooled and there is better access to health services.

Other impacts

• Increase in volume and quality of fresh oil palm sold.
• OPUL's palm oil production is helping reduce the country's dependency on vegetable oil imports.
• Investments in infrastructure and services have stimulated the local economy and opened the area to tourism. Having been one of the poorest districts in Uganda, Kalangala is now one of the richest.
• Protected forest areas are better preserved now that farmers are forgoing activities – such as charcoal burning and wood extraction - that led to degradation of these areas.