Producing More from Less Land; The Fumvudza Model of Farming

Fumvudza Farming - A Solution For Northern Uganda's Agricultural Challenges INTRO In Northern Uganda, a new farming model is gaining popularity, and it's transforming the way farmers work the land, fight food insecurity, and respond to the challenges posed by climate change. The Fumvudza farming model, promoted by a local Pentecostal church organization, is an interesting case of intersection between religion, farming, climate change. It is making a big impact in Kwania District and beyond. Ambience (Harriet saying a prayer in her garden] Harriet, a farmer from Kwania District, begins her day in prayer. With every sunrise, she and her fellow farmers in the faith, seek God's blessings for a successful harvest. And for Harriet, that blessing has come in abundance. Bite [Luo]… Harriet Obote, Farmer Harriet used to farm three acres of maize and harvest only 10 bags. But now, with the new Fumvudza model, she harvested 25 bags of maize from 3 Fumvudza plots which is less than half an acre.” Bite [Luo]… Harriet Obote, Farmer Smith Alele, also from Kwania District, is another farmer who is no longer afraid of food insecurity. He has embraced Fumvudza farming with four plots. Bite [Eng]… Smith Alele, Farmer The Fumvudza model was introduced to Uganda by Rexsen Uganda, a church-based organization that borrowed the concept from Zimbabwe, where it has seen great success in combating food insecurity. Jeremiah Ocen, a lead trainer with the organization, says that as a church, they felt a responsibility to address the pressing effects of climate change. Bite [Eng] … Jeremiah Ocen, Lead trainer, Rexsen Uganda A typical Fumvudza plot is usually 16 X39m. The key principles include minimal tillage, organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and water conservation. Bite [Eng] … Jeremiah Ocen, Lead trainer, Rexsen Uganda Climate change has become a major threat to agriculture in Northern Uganda. Farmers are grappling with erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and severe flooding, all of which have devastated crops and reduced yields. Climate Change is primarily driven by human influence in particular Greenhouse Gas emissions. A Rapid Climate Risks and Vulnerability Assessment by Northern Uganda Resilience Initiative (NURI) indicates that since 2011, greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere have continued to increase, reaching annual averages of 410 parts per million for carbon dioxide alone, a concentration higher than at any time. There is a near linear relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Bite [Eng] … Leonard Otika, Environmental Specialist Godfrey Otim, a scientist with National Agriculture Research Organisation at Ngetta, explains that the loss of soil fertility in Northern Uganda has been severe. Bite [Eng] … Godfrey Otim, Crop Scientist-NARO Ngetta Deep ploughing destroys soil structure and harms the microorganisms necessary for soil health. Otim advise farmers to use minimum tillage tools like rippers to avoid overworking the soil. Bite [Eng] … Godfrey Otim, Crop Scientist-NARO Ngetta As farmers like Harriet and Smith continue to thrive, there is hope that Northern Uganda's agricultural sector can recover from the man-made problem of climate change and grow through sustainable farming with God’s divine guidance via the Fumvudza model. -ends Filed & Run 10th Dec, 2024