VEDCO started operating in Luwero District shortly after the bush war to address the challenges of poverty in the area. The organisation has promoted several viable agro based enterprises among farmer organisations to enhance commercial competitiveness of their produce.

The enterprises include growing of high value crops like upland rice, okra, cardamom, hot pepper and pineapple for both local and international markets. Farmers are facilitated to add value to their produce such as making juice out of the fruits, solar dried pineapples and producing flour and snacks out of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes among others.

A number of farmers have since received cardamom seeds while others like those in Bwaziba were supported to grow organic pineapples and are now IMO certified. In Migugye village, Semuto Sub-county, several families received improved breeds of pigs to boost their market potential while in Katikamu, women¹s groups were encouraged to engage in poultry farming and given chicks to boost their incomes. VEDCO has promoted school gardening in over 40 schools in the district and provided each school with banana suckers, vegetable seeds, orange-fleshed sweet potato vines, cassava and yam cuttings and fruit trees.

Customised services have been developed for disadvantaged groups including people infected and affected by HIV/Aids. These groups are linked to various service providers and encouraged to practice intensive agriculture with special focus on food production, nutrition, and boosting household income generation. Several multiplication gardens have been established and are now benefiting farmers to acquire clean planting material. The organisation¹s Chief Executive Director, Mr. Kizito Musoke revealed that market information service constitutes a data bank, a market information bulletin and a resource centre had been established at Kikoma near Wobulenzi town. They produce weekly market information bulletins to update farmers on indicative prices for various enterprises, available markets, quality specifications, pest control methods and advisory services on production management. VEDCO is piloting a tomato trial project and the district council has already attracted potential investors.