Switching to the Times
Atyak Farmers Switch to Regenerative Agriculture As Climate Change Bites
Written by: Tracy Anirwot
In rural areas of Northern Uganda in Gulu district, farmers in Atyak are facing climate change characterized by extended dry spell and unpredictable rainfall.
This has become daily realities that threaten food security, livelihoods and the future of farming in the region.
Amidst all these challenges, Climate smart Jobs programme is offering a fresh direction, linking agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and climate resilience to create meaningful jobs and sustainable livelihoods.
According to the Climate Smart Jobs programme, it supports large-scale job creation for Uganda’s growing population. In recent years, insufficient economic growth has meant a rising proportion of the working age population are not working, and hourly earnings have been falling.
On 25th October 2025, a group of journalists visited Atiak Lokilia goat farmers owned by nine members in Atiak Lokilia Town Council, Gulu District. The purpose was to find out how goat rearing affects the environment and climate shifts.
Lokilia goat’s farmers group started in May 2025 with only fifty-two (52) goats, the purpose of this project is to ensure social economic transformation among members in the group.
One of the commonly rared breed of goats in Gulu small East African and Kasolwe Brown goat because they are one of the most disease resilient breeds, according to Esther Fani, a member of the group.
The Atiak Lokilia Goat Farmers Group has begun adopting Climate Smart measures. Member use goat manure as organic fertilizer, practice shared grazing to prevent overuse of pastureland and are planning to plant trees around farms to reduce soil erosion and provide shade.
This project has faced various challenges for its survival for example, the death of two goats in July that was caused by unskilled veterinary doctors who allegedly prescribed wrongly to the sick animals hence leading to the death of two goats leaving them with fifty goats.
Fani believes that with more support, the project can grow stronger, “We need better veterinary service, access to training and guidance on how to protect our environment”, she.
“Our dream is to see every member’s family stable and our land still fertile for future generation,” she added.
Goats rearing has greatly helped the group financially through catering for children’s school fees, providing manure and this has also ensured that the members share responsibilities, support one another, and plan to improve our families’ lives.
“For us, goats mean survival, unity, and a sense of progress. They are easy to keep, provide manure for gardens and this improves our crops without the use of chemical fertilizers” Fani added
A communications expert at Climate smart jobs, Josephine Karungi agree that empowering such community-led projects is key to achieving Uganda’s climate goals.
“When communities are supported with knowledge and resources, they become part of the climate,”says Karungi. “What’s happening in Atiak is a reminder that climate action begins at the grass root.”
Karungi also adds that if goat rearing is not well managed, it can lead to over grazing and land degradation which tend to worsen climate change.
But when farmers use integrating goats with crop farming, it actually helps resilience to enrich soils, goats can survive in different weather patterns that’s why they play a big role in helping communities adopt to changing weather patterns.
The Local Council III chairman of Atiak Lokilia Town Concil,Mr. Peter Okwera praises the farmers initiative and says that such community led projects are a key to building resilience against climate change.
“As local leaders, we encourage residents to engage in climate smart agriculture activities like goat rearing and tree planting,” Okwera says.
“The project by Fani and her group is an example of how people can lift them selves out of poverty while also protecting the environment. Our role is to support them with guidance, link them to extension officers and ensure they access training from the district” Okwera added.
Goat rearing has brought hope to families like Fani’s group, yet it also reminds us of our duty to protect the environment.
If farmers are supported with better Veterinary care, training and trees to plant around their farms, goat rearing can become both source of income and a friend to nature.
The story of Fani Esther, her group reveals that true progress happens when people care not only about their livelihood but also about the land that sustains them with love knowledge and unity, even small communities like Atiak Lokilia can make a big difference in the fight against climate.
