ABOUT
Our Vision
Our Mission
Resilient, thriving communities
that inspire and give hope to others.
Create lasting change by strengthening food security and improving access to education.
The Problem
In the remote villages of northern Uganda, nearly everyone is a subsistence farmer. Life is especially hard for the very young, the elderly, people living with disabilities and child-headed households. When crops fail, there’s no safety net - no market to turn to, no stored food, no cash reserves. Families go hungry and in the worst cases, people die.
Many parents never had the chance to go to school and opportunities for their children are still limited. Without education and a reliable way to grow and store food, the cycle of poverty continues and communities are left vulnerable and unsupported.
Our Story
In 2007, Alison Hall learned about this, and the plight of these farmers, at a conference in Norway. Moved by their struggles, she decided to take action.
Reluctant to give handouts, she devised a way for farmers to borrow seeds and repay the financial value when they could - a bit like micro-finance with seeds. Farmers receive enough seed for one acre of land (typically about 10kgs of maize) and grow them with other farmers in their group.
Once harvested, they come together to collectively sell the crops at a higher price than if they were selling individually. Over the years we expanded our support to include crops such as pineapples and coffee.
As the number of farmers we supported grew to more than 3,000, we began to lose our personal connection with them. In 2014, after meeting with village elders and leaders, we shifted to a more holistic community development approach. We now work closely with seven remote farming communities near Gulu and Kitgum in northern Uganda, who we listen to and learn from in everything we do.
The impacts of COVID-19, climate change, global conflicts and the recent shutdown of USAID have posed significant challenges. During the annual hungry season, we prioritise food security and health by providing emergency food and medical payments.
Today, Seeds for Development continues to grow, driven by the needs of the communities we serve. We invite you to join us in our mission to build stronger, more resilient communities in northern Uganda.
Our Team
Alison Hall MBE
Founder
Alex Latim
Founder of FPP
David
Community Leader
Penny Peters
Trustee
Annet
Coordinator
Florence
Coordinator
Sue Howland
Trustee
Devon Onen
Trainer
Albino
Community Leader
Pamela Anyeko
Project Manager
Simon Apiro
Community Leader
Sam
Coordinator
We are supported by some amazing experts
Helen Mazalon is an analyst at Alcis, specialising in geographic data analysis, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and satellite imagery. She creates detailed maps and dashboards that enhance our efficiency and effectiveness. Helen volunteers her expertise in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and spatial data visualisation to Seeds for Development, helping us remotely as we strive to support communities in Uganda.
Elly Nkalubo is the Local Village Councillor in Mukono, a key figure in his community. He provides invaluable knowledge and expertise on community relations and development. Elly ensures our well-being during visits and plays a crucial role in our community development initiatives, focusing on improving food security and supporting local governance.
Susan Wamala is an exceptional head teacher, recognised as one of the top 40 influential people in primary education in Uganda. We are proud and grateful for her support in our education projects. Susan's dedication to early childhood development and her expertise in primary education significantly enhance our impact on local schools, ensuring children receive quality education and nutrition.
Timothy Njakasi is celebrated as one of the top 50 farmers in Uganda. He is the Managing Director of Kasenge-Riverford Organic Agricultural Centre, where he educates farmers from Uganda and neighbouring countries, as well as volunteers from the UK and USA. Timothy's training programmes are vital for promoting sustainable farming practices, improving food security, and empowering local farming communities.