Switching to the Times

Soil Restoration Improves Crop Production in Northern Uganda

Written by: Immaculate Aromo

In Northern Uganda where people entirely depend on agriculture, Climate change has stressed their way of life, from long drought periods to unpredictable rainfall seasons.

According to the office of Prime Minister (OPM,2012) in the report Economic Assessment of the impact of climate Change in Uganda, the country lost an estimated US$470 million in crops, cash crops and livestock during a severe drought, roughly 16% of the annual crop value.

Through Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), new agricultural practices in Northern Uganda have proved that healthy agriculture can easily be adopted to conserve to secure food security in the region. 

This has been practiced through minimum tillage, mulching, agroforestry, drought-tolerant seeds, improved water-harvesting and small-scale irrigation, targeted micro-dosing of fertilizer guided by soil testing, and digital or community-based agro-meteorological advisories. 

This has encouraged increased productivity and incomes, greater resilience to climate variability and extremes, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

In Northern Uganda, the benefits of CSA are tangible since it has promoted awareness on soil-restorative measures (cover crops, composting, green manures) which lead to increased moisture retention, reduce erosion and drought exposure.

Due to improved training systems in the region, the Commercial Agent Model (CAM) has provided local agents with transformative services to be practiced by farmers. 

This model has provided access to services which fuels high productivity and sales that translate to a win for the agents, farmers and service providers thus increasing volumes and revenues of businesses, as well as farmers’ income.  The Commercial Agent Model (CAM) is one of the central epitomes to the Climate-Smart Jobs (CSJ) programme 

In recent pilots and projects across Amuru, Nwoya and Gulu, commercial agents have begun to transform how smallholders access CSA packages. Programmes documented by the Climate-Smart Jobs initiative and implementing partners have highlighted several practical examples.

The Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) project through agri-SMEs and cooperatives to address climate related challenges through adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and technologies. This linkages with a pool of climate-smart service providers like Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ), Agri-SMEs are helping farmers to de-risk climate related shocks in the value chains of potato, soybean, sunflower and sesame.

One of key conservation practices in region is Soil testing since it optimizes crop production, protects the environment from contamination and leaching from excess fertilizers, it also less costly.

In addition, CRAFT also connects farmers to different input dealers for the recommended fertilizers and inputs from the soil samples, offering training to farmers on the importance of soil testing services and interpreting results from soil samples collected from soil testing service providers. 

In Nwoya district, enterprises supported under CSJ combined basic soil sampling services with sale of micro-doses of fertilizer and drought-tolerant seed. 

“We have greater confidence in input choices after receiving soil analyses, affordable tailored packages, and the agents have also secured repeat business by offering bundled products with agronomic tips” Kidega Michael, a farmer in Nwoya District said.

These stories show common success factors: visible local demonstration (proof of concept), affordable product sizing (small packs, pay-as-you-use services), and a clear commercial incentive for the agent.

The CAM has created a win-win relationship across multiple groups. Smallholder farmers (men and women) gain timely access to appropriate seed, soil testing, water-saving tools and advice that raise yields and reduce risk. Evidence shows women farmers often benefit where agents deliberately market inclusive products and services.

Youth and new agri-preneurs find business opportunities as agents, aggregators or input retailers; CSA packages frequently require local distribution and advisory services that create jobs.

Agro-dealers and small enterprises expand product lines and customer bases by stocking climate-smart inputs and value-added services (soil tests, bundling). Off-takers, processors and buyers benefit from more reliable supplies and better-quality produce as farmers adopt improved practices and varieties.

” Women’s groups, savings cooperatives and refugees/host communities’ targeted interventions under CSJ often prioritise marginalised groups; when agents market affordable packages and extension, these groups gain improved food security and incomes” Alimadi Steven , as secretary general from CRAFT said.

Challenges

Mr. John Tusasirwe, CEO TRAFORD said it is hard to convince farmers to pay for soil testing services until they subsidized the price with support from CRAFT.

To scale effectively, policymakers should prioritize seed systems for resilient varieties, invest in agro-meteorological services and support accreditation systems for agents. Donors and implementers should link CAMs to finance (microcredit and pay-as-you-go models), build women-led enterprises, and foster market linkages so that CSA adoption is profitable as well as resilient.

In conclusion, droughts, floods and soil degradation are interwoven threats that undermine the livelihoods of farming households across Northern Uganda.

Climate-Smart Agriculture when translated into locally available, affordable and market- oriented packages delivered by commercial agents offers a practical pathway to greater resilience, productivity and rural employment.

Real-world experiences from Amuru, Nwoya and Gulu show that demonstrable local successes, small-pack affordability and commercially incentivized agents.