1.0 Key Priority Areas for the Transformation of Teso

Teso religious leaders agreed in union to rally their energies and efforts on the five priority areas for the transformation of Teso sub region. The religious leaders will work closely with the political leadership, cultural institutions, Civil Society, private sector and media in realizing the transformative agenda for Teso. The following strategic priorities are proposed.

1.1 Livestock and Agricultural Transformation

The revival of agriculture and livestock should become the foundation of Teso’s economic transformation. Decades ago, livestock and agriculture kept Teso at the helm of prosperity and the Iteso were able to meet the necessities of life such as school fee, medical cost among others easily. However, this has changed for the worst in the recent times.

Priority interventions include:

• Establishment of a Regional Breeding and Genetic Improvement Centre. Religious leaders look forward to having the regional breeding and genetic improvement center in Teso within the five years term of office the current leaders. The location will be agreed later.
• Artificial insemination services. Yes, this is happening but not in large scale and religious require that these services are localized at sub county level
• Veterinary extension services. Deliberate improvement of the extension services to most vulnerable persons in the community.
• Promotion of coffee and cocoa production. Teso as of now does not have one common cash crop and this has left the region lagging behind. Cotton that used to be our cash crop has encountered its own challenges ranging from markets to yields in the fields. Teo therefore needs to define and agree with the rest of the country to invest on Coffee since our soil have been tested and confirmed to be viable for coffee farming.   
• Farmer cooperatives revival. For better markets we the people of Teso need to look at critically the need for the farmer cooperatives since the support collective bargain for the good of the local farmer. ADEFO is making strides in this area and we look forward to building more farmer cooperatives in the region
• Value addition and agro-processing. Teso is known of selling their products as raw-materials which gives very little to the farmer. Still through ADEFO we are naturing the ideas of value addition.

1.2 Modern Research and Mechanization Hub

There is need to conduct modern research on agriculture to improve yields but with the at most care on the environment through:

• Mechanized farming. For generations Teso has relied on local and rudimentary methods farming whose coverage and output continues to be low season in season out. There is need to improve the farming methods by introducing new Technologies and innovations such as use of walking tractors and motorized tractor whose output is higher and this will benefit the local person at the end.
• Irrigation systems. 95% of farmers in Teso rely on rain fed agriculture and the reliability of the rainfall is unpredictable due to climate changes and these hits hard on the local farmer.
• Research partnerships with aim of improving productivity. A lot need to be invested in this area.
• Farmer training centers.  This will work as the reference point for farmers as the seek for technical support and guidance,

The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Mechanization and Technology Hub will support:

• Innovation;
• Productivity;
• Youth employment;
• Extension services.

Addition there is need to commission a research to have one stop center for all the vital information about Teso such as the current population for effective planning, religious sites, cultural and tourist sites.

The religious leaders equally need to champion the discussion of ensuring that we develop a tourist hub as Iteso and Kuman. This will create job opportunities and other related opportunities such as Hotel industry, markets for our products. Furthermore, this will put us at global map as region.

1.3 Flood Control and Climate Resilience

Flooding and its associated advance effects hit the entire Teso sub region. Priority actions should include:

• Construction of valley dams and tanks. This will help to contain huge volumes of water during the rainy season and this will be utilized during the drought.
• Water harvesting systems. Making the best use of rain water will reduce on the scarcity during time of shortage
• Wetland restoration. Wetlands play an instrumental role in ensuring that all rain water is channeled to the right source. Wetlands play acritical role controlling the rate at which water follows thus reducing the flooding. Therefore, any mismanagement results to negative respond by nature.
• Climate-smart agriculture. Planting quick maturing food crops and drought resistant crops to reduce on losses.
• Community disaster preparedness. Community requires adequate training in regards disaster management and control. This will enable them to be conscious in case of disaster.

1.4 Education and Skills Development

Education is the only intangible asset left for us as the people of Teso and Investment in education should focus on:

• Scholarships. Lobby for scholarships for the children of Teso at the higher levels of education. At least a minimum of 500 scholarships annually. 
• Vocational and Technical training. Promotion of skills training will result in to job creation for our youth
• School Feeding program. The religious leaders take a lead in ensuring that school feeding initiatives start especially the religious headed institutions. The demonstration site should be setup and the different religious intuitions charged with responsibility to ensure its success. This is because the feeding program has direct link to performance.  
• Science and technology. Motivate our children to work hard in line with science and technology because that is the direction the world is heading too. This will enable us equally to compete favorable in the labour market. Venture into Oil and Gas in addition to other still revenant courses.
• Aviation training. For so many years, Teso has not benefited from the aviation schools located in Teso sub region and its with humility that we demand at 30% of trainees to be the sons and daughters of the land.

Special support should target:

• Vulnerable youth;
• Girls;
• Rural learners (girls and boys).

1.6 Private Sector and Economic Empowerment

For Teso to progress at the same pace with the rest of the country, roust Economic empowerment programs and reforms should support access to:

• Affordable credit. Reliable and low interest credit to availed to the community members. This must be done after thorough mindset to avoid misappropriation.
• Grants. Yes, Government has made strides in this direction with programs such as Parish Development Money (PDM) and others but we imply government to increase the funds for meaningful poverty elevation in the community. The grants should be focused on youth, women and men organized groups in the community.
• Business development services and Investment promotion. Deliberate move to support the exiting businesses and business ideas in the community.

Target groups

• Youth enterprises
• Women groups
• SACCOs
• Cooperatives
• SMEs