Karamoja, Northeastern Uganda

Karamoja is a resource-strapped region home to 1.5 million people who are experiencing extreme hardship and poverty. With 66% of the population trapped in poverty, over three times the national average of 20.3%, and an 80% youth unemployment rate, the region faces a humanitarian crisis marked by climate vulnerability, chronic food insecurity, and limited livelihood opportunities. Our "Educate, Empower, sustain" program aims to establish a Community Agroecology Training, Demonstration, and Research Centre in Alerek, located in the Abim district of the Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda.

The Alerek community in Abim District has an estimated population of 32,500, with most residents living in extreme poverty and facing chronic food insecurity. Approximately 95% of the population relies on rudimentary farming, which contributes to low food production and climate change, and over 80% of the community suffers from food scarcity. The residents lack training in agroecology and regenerative practices, often foraging for wild fruits and vegetables. Many survive on just one meal a day, and the agricultural land is largely degraded due to extensive grazing practices. Access to health services and education is also limited.

The local agricultural sector, which is the primary source of food and income, has been severely affected by extreme droughts, insecurity from cattle rustlers, volatile market prices, and the recent global economic crisis. These factors have led to diminished harvests, financial instability, and widespread malnutrition among children. The challenges faced by the population of Alerek are further exacerbated for vulnerable groups, who experience significant stigma and inequalities. This results in low self-esteem, social isolation, a lack of income-generating opportunities, and persistent extreme poverty. The centre will specifically target the most vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, widows, single parents, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Our solution has directly trained over 5,000 individuals, approximately 770 households, thereby reaching an estimated 32,500 people based on an average household size of 6.5. Our Agroecology Training, Research, and Demonstration Centre act as a community hub to pilot and scale up practices such as regenerative agriculture, seed conservation, and ecosystem restoration across Karamoja. Key routine activities include training and demonstration on water harvesting, composting, mulching, crop rotation, intercropping, alley farming, permagardens, multi-crop polycultures, agroforestry (regeneration of natural woodlands), as well as indigenous seed breeding and multiplication (seed sovereignty). With our Centre, we have reached over 5,000 vulnerable households and individuals through agroecologically-centered education in regenerative agriculture and environmental conservation.

A robust Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture in practice

Scale up agroecology in both schools and rural communities