A 26 billion (6.5 million Euro) project to promote Climate Smart Agriculture in northern Uganda has been launched.
Climate Smart Agriculture enhances the resilience of farming communities against effects of climate change.
The four-year project seeks to benefit 25,000 small holder farmers in seven districts in northern Uganda—Lira, Oyam, Kitgum, Agago, Dokolo, Amolatar and Napak.
‘‘Agriculture is increasing becoming smart. So there is a need to make farmers aware that they too can contribute to climate change,’’ said Mbooge Isa, the Dokolo Chief Administrative Officer who was among district officials at the launch on Thursday last week at the Hotel Protea in Kampala.
The project implimented by GIZ is funded by the European Union (EU) and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Speaking at the project launch, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya who was chief guest said the Climate Smart Agriculture project provides the local governments with opportunities.
‘‘The local governments should tap opportunities provided by the project for example the technical know how around Climate Smart Agriculture,’’ Mr Kumumanya said at the launch which was attended by farmer representatives from northern Uganda, LC5 Chairpersons, Chief Administrative Officers, the European Union representative and actors in Climate Smart Agriculture.
The project hopes to strengthen the capacity of local governments to mainstream climate smart agriculture in local planning processes and supporting the improvement of agricultural productivity by rural farmers.
Uganda’s population largely relies on natural resource based sectors like agriculture, forestry and fisheries for livelihood. The sector is however vulnerable to changes in climatic conditions like flooding and heatwaves.
