MS Worldwide is committed to sharing and supporting innovative solutions to global challenges. One of our esteemed partners in Uganda has successfully implemented the “Strengthening Food Security through Climate-Smart Agriculture” project in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda. This initiative, which targeted 5,000 smallholder farmers, has been crucial in improving agricultural productivity, market access, and resilience to climate change in the region
In Lamwo District, Northern Uganda, smallholder farmers have long faced challenges related to food insecurity, worsened by unpredictable weather, soil degradation, and limited market access. To address these issues, MS Worldwide, in partnership with a local organization, launched the “Strengthening Food Security through Climate-Smart Agriculture” project, aimed at improving the livelihoods of 5,000 farmers, 20 farmer organizations, and 10 local agricultural extension workers. The project focuses on climate-smart agricultural practices, enhancing productivity, and creating better access to markets, with a strong emphasis on building resilience to climate change.
The project began by providing hands-on training in climate-smart agricultural practices, including conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and crop rotation, and introducing drought-tolerant crop varieties and climate-resilient livestock. These practices enabled farmers to adapt to changing weather conditions and improve soil and water management. Farmers were also provided with high-quality seeds, fertilizers, livestock inputs, and irrigation system support, which allowed them to produce more reliably throughout the seasons, particularly during dry spells.
Market access and linkages were also a key part of the project’s approach. Through the establishment of cooperatives, farmers were empowered to negotiate better prices with local buyers. These cooperatives provided collective bargaining power, allowing farmers to increase their income by selling surplus crops at fair market prices. Meanwhile, local agricultural extension workers received training to provide continuous support to farmers through field visits and advisory services, ensuring they had access to guidance on best practices and could overcome day-to-day challenges.
In addition to these interventions, the project introduced climate information dissemination channels that offered timely weather updates and established early warning systems for extreme weather events. This allowed farmers to make informed decisions about planting and harvesting, reducing their vulnerability to climate-related risks.
One significant success of the project was seen in a women-led cooperative in Lamwo District, led by Mary Okello. Before the project, Mary and her group of 50 women struggled with poor yields and market access, barely managing to feed their families. With the support of climate-smart training and high-quality seeds, they adopted conservation farming techniques, planting drought-tolerant maize and sorghum. The irrigation system provided by the project ensured steady production even in dry conditions, significantly increasing their yields. By joining a cooperative, the women were able to sell their surplus crops to larger buyers at better prices, boosting their incomes by 40%. Mary shared that this project transformed their lives, enabling them to feed their families and reinvest in their farms, marking a turning point in their community’s economic stability.
The project’s overall impact has been profound, with farmers across the district experiencing a 30% increase in crop yields, improved food security for 80% of households, and 90% of the farmers becoming more resilient to climate change. Furthermore, 75% of the participating farmers saw significant income growth due to improved market access, while strengthened farmer organizations now advocate for fairer prices and better resources. This collaborative effort between MS Worldwide and its partners has not only improved food security in Lamwo District but also empowered local communities to sustain their agricultural practices, build resilience to climate change, and achieve long-term economic stability.
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