Gulu, Uganda — The University of the Sacred Heart Gulu (USHG), in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Gulu and St. Isidoro Farm in Negri village, is exploring a potential partnership to support solar-powered agro-processing and value addition in Northern Uganda.
The proposed initiative is still at the application stage and, if successful, would contribute to clean-energy agro-processing, farmer learning, practical student training, and community-based enterprise development. The project is expected to focus broadly on agricultural value chains such as grains and oilseeds. The proposed initiative seeks to position St. Isidoro Farm as a demonstration site for clean-energy agro-processing, value addition, farmer training, and community-based enterprise development. If successful, the project would focus on agricultural value chains such as grains and oilseeds, including maize, sorghum, millet, rice, sunflower, soybean, and groundnuts.
The St. Isidoro Farm in Gulu, Northern Uganda, is a 147.91-hectare agricultural project owned by the Archdiocese of Gulu, designed to promote food security and economic recovery following decades of war. Established to revitalize agricultural practices, the farm serves as a center for training, mechanization, and sustainable agroforestry. St. Isidoro Farm, located in Gulu City West, has existing agro-processing infrastructure, including grain drying, rice hulling, sunflower oil milling, storage facilities, and training space. However, the farm currently faces challenges related to unstable grid electricity, high fuel costs, equipment downtime, and the use of fuelwood for drying. The proposed solar-powered system would help reduce operating costs, improve processing reliability, and promote environmentally sustainable agribusiness.
Under the proposed arrangement, St. Isidoro Farm would serve as the host site, while USHG would contribute technical, academic, training, monitoring, and research support through its department of Innovation and Rural Development and the Agri-systems Management Programme.
The initiative aligns with USHG's mission of promoting holistic growth and development by connecting academic learning, innovation, research, and community transformation. It also reflects the Archdiocese of Gulu's long-standing commitment to social development, food security, and sustainable livelihoods. If successful, the project could strengthen agro-processing capacity, promote the use of clean energy in agriculture, and create opportunities for farmers, students, women, youth, and community producers in Northern Uganda.
