Community members in the Ngora district are blossoming with a simile. The reason is simple. They are now able to adapt to climate change impacts such as prolonged drought, erratic rainfall, floods, and drug-resistant pests, all of which have been having serious effects on their livelihoods. Thanks to the Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems, and Associated Catchment in Uganda Project, the government is implementing through the Ministry of Water and Environment, working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Uganda Meteorological Authority.
The project seeks to increase communities’ and wetland’s resilience to climate change. In 2021, a wetland-wise use demonstration site was established at the periphery of Agu wetland, sitting on a six-acre land, and is a host to a mini solar-powered irrigation scheme and fish ponds. It is this intervention that is now responsible for the blossoming smiles on the faces of the Ngora communities, especially women. “The community is very happy about this project, especially the market women engaged in selling high-value crops such as greens, eggplant, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Previously, these women would have to travel to Mbale district to purchase these items., Now, with the project, they have found a one-stop centre for most of the items they need to run their businesses. I can assure you the hustle is no more. Here we produce throughout the year. Season in, season out. The women flock here to come and buy,” Mr. Samuel Enyondu, a model farmer, said. Enyodu previously earned his livelihood from the Agu wetland till the government asked him and other community members to voluntarily vacate the wetland in return for alternative livelihood options. Enyodu is particularly benefiting from a mini-irrigation scheme. He grows high-value crops like watermelon, cowpeas, tomatoes, cabbages, eggplants, and onions, all through the year. Demarcated into 18 plots, the six-acre scheme is benefiting 10 households which is approximately 70 community members.
The scheme has since operated for 15 seasons since it started. Each season, the farmers earn approximately shs 20m- 30m, implying that for the last 15 seasons, former wetland users in Ngora have earned up to shs 300m- shs 450 m.
“This project has the potential to transform our communities and the country as a whole. I have been able to change my livelihood. I can pay fees for my children at a private school. We have a balanced diet, and we have been able to engage in several developments geared towards kicking poverty out. I have bought animals, like cows and goats, all from this project,” Enyodu adds.
Enyodu is not the only person who has benefited from the project. His wife, Aguti Zipora, received 25 chickens. She reared the hens and was able to sell eggs. The proceeds she used to support her husband to meet domestic needs like school fees, nutrition, among others. She was able to sell some chicken and bought a pig. Once the pig grew, she sold it and used the proceeds to boost her grocery business.
“I left the wetland, and I don’t regret it,” Aguti boastfully says. Whereas the Enyodu are happy with the current level of benefit, they still believe that they could earn more once the government undertakes close supervision to iron out existing challenges, such as limited knowledge, operational hiccups, and security.