Lango farmers adopt soil, water conservation to solve food security, environment puzzle

By Odota Adubango Moureen

Lira

Uganda’s soil fertility is declining at an alarming rate due to land degradation, as stated in the 13th national state of environment report (2018-2019) released by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). This report ranks soil fertility in the country between low to medium.

Despite 80% of the country’s population being engaged in agriculture, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics annual agriculture report (2018), NEMA highlights a decline in soil productivity primarily caused by soil erosion and poor land management practices which poses a threat to food security for the country’s estimated 45 million population.

In the Lango sub-region, groups of farmers, supported by Non-Governmental Organizations, local government leaders, as well as environmental and agricultural experts, are adopting soil and water conservation practices to enhance soil fertility, ensure food security, and environment protection.

In Otuke district, farmers belonging to the cung Atek farmers’ group in Barlwala village, Arwotngo parish, Okwang Sub County, are implementing various interventions to conserve soil with the assistance of Farm Radio International.

Julius Peter Ocen, a member of the group, explains that they practice crop rotation, bush fallowing, and mulching of gardens, among other techniques, to promote soil regeneration, control soil pests and diseases and enrich the soil with organic matter.

These measures aim to ensure healthy crop growth and improved yields, while mitigating sedimentation of wetlands through soil erosion.

Another group member, Ocen Nixon, emphasizes the importance of protecting wetlands to support rain formation, removing plastics from their gardens to enhance soil drainage, and limiting the number of animals grazed on land to prevent soil erosion.

Aceng Betty, another member of the group, mentions that with support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they have dug fish ponds and abandoned rice cultivation in wetlands in favor of fish farming. This shift aims to minimize wetland degradation and the destruction of aquatic species. She says through fish farming, they have boosted their income and improved nutrition among their families.

Betty Akello, another member of the group, mentions that in addition to income generated from fish farming, the fish pond also supplies water for irrigation to ensure continuous farming all year round, thereby enhancing crop yields.

In Alebtong district, farmers belonging to the Ogwok kan urumu wa group in Acaba village, Omarari parish, Omoro Sub County, have implemented various soil and water conservation methods.

Odongo James Brian, the group’s chairperson, explains that they engage in contour ploughing in hilly areas to prevent soil erosion, plant trees to facilitate rain formation for crop growth, and safeguard wetland buffer zones to reduce wetland pollution and sedimentation caused by running water.

By safeguarding wetlands, Odongo emphasizes that they guarantee access to water for production.

Allan Okello, the coordinator of Kijani Forestry, a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to combating climate change through tree planting in Kole and Lira district, outlines the conservation efforts they are implementing to protect soil and water.

Watese Anne, the chairperson of the Nyekobalikare farmers’ group in Alwala village, Abeli parish, Akalo Sub County, Kole district, says they are cultivating trees donated by Kijani Forestry to enhance soil fertility, air quality, and increase their family income through sale of tree products.

Ecat Stephen, the country programs manager of Farm Radio International, Uganda said their five year project aims to promote rural community action on climate change adaptation and biodiversity using locally relevant, gender inclusive and nature based solutions such as protecting or restoring forests and wetlands to secure and regulate water supplies, supporting production of forest products and protection of communities and infrastructures from soil erosion, landslides and floods.

Walter Okol serves as the director, Agrisol Solutions Africa, an agribusiness enterprise in Lira city that manufactures organic fertilizer known as Bokashi to promote soil fertility restoration. The company has provided training on organic fertilizer production to 751 farmers’ groups in Oyam, Kole, and Lira district.

Ogwang Emmanuel, a farmer from Agweng Sub County, Lira district, testifies of significant success he has registered with the use of this organic fertilizer.

Docus Alum, the Agricultural Officer of Lira District, has been providing farmers with training sessions on various agricultural techniques such as crop rotation, mulching, and the utilization of organic fertilizers to safeguard soil and improve its fertility.

Samson Obong, an agronomist technician at Ngetta Zonal Agriculture Research and Development Institute, has equally trained farmers in techniques like minimum tillage, intercropping, and agro-forestry to combat soil erosion.

Patrick Onyanga, the senior environment officer of Otuke district, outlines several initiatives they are undertaking to enhance soil fertility and protection of the environment in the district. These measures include implementation of tree planting programs, the establishment of buffer strips along wetland boundaries, and the promotion of conservation agriculture practices among local farmers.

Oguta Samuel, the National Environment Authority police officer in charge northern Uganda, affirms their commitment to monitoring and raising awareness among communities regarding the importance of environmental protection.

He says their primary objective is to ensure that these communities comply with all environmental regulations.