Experiences of participants in an agricultural livelihood support initiative for people living with HIV in central Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the experiences of people living with HIV who participated in an agricultural livelihood support initiative in  selected districts of Uganda. The initiative, implemented from 2017 to 2018, involved the provision of agricultural inputs such as beans,  cassava cuttings, goats, chickens, and pigs to participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 people (28 women and 9 men)  from the districts of Kampala, Masaka and Wakiso (specifically Entebbe) in central Uganda, who had participated in the project. Data were  analysed thematically focusing on facilitators, challenges and outcomes from the project. The following themes emerged as  facilitators: access to land and animal feed, prior farming experience and supportive family and friends. Some participants experienced  challenges including animal/poultry diseases, livestock theft, “low quality” agricultural inputs, unfavourable weather conditions, limited  finance and land to support livelihood activities and difficulties working in groups. Several participants reported positive livelihood  outcomes including improved food security, better nutrition, increased income and improved mental health. However, some participants  reported negative outcomes which took the form of a loss of money and time invested when their livestock died from disease. Although  participants in the agricultural livelihood initiative faced challenges which reduced the profitability of their projects, the initiative was  regarded as beneficial and worthwhile. These findings have relevance to the broader field of livelihoods programming. Future  interventions can draw from the experiences of our participants while also taking seriously into consideration the different circumstances  of individuals in a targeted population so as to increase the chances of producing more positive outcomes.