About this project

Agriculture is the main economic activity employing over 60% of Ugandan population. Other than Ugandan nationals, refugees like those in Bukompe refugee settlement are also engaged in small scale farming for food security and incomes.

Bukome Refugee settlement is home to over 2800 protracted refugees with 75% being women and children. Over 90% of households survive on small scale farming carried out on the small pieces of land measuring 100 by 200 feets provided by the government. On their arrival, they carried-out massive deforestation for charcoal burning as a alternative source of income. This left the whole settlement with no trees and has caused severe climate change effects in the area.

We learnt that due to dry spells caused by climate change, refugees are not able to produce enough food. As a result, we devised means of increasing farmer production both during and off rainy seasons. That is why, we have developed a Mobile Drip Irrigation Kit that will help irrigate farmers’ crops during dry seasons. This will help farmers participate in farming activities through out the year, thus fighting hunger and poverty in their households. In addition, we will provide permaculture and water harvesting training that will enable farmers adapt to the Climate change effects.

Goals and Objectives

The project goal is to promote sustainable and climate smart agriculture to improve food security and incomes among smallholder farmers in Bukompe refugee and host communities.

Objectives of the project entail:

1.     To test and produce a mobile drip irrigation system for smallholder refugee and host farmers in Bukompe.

2.     To educate smallholder refugee and host farmers on rain water harvesting and irrigation practices.

3.     To scale and market the kit to other farmers affected by climate change effects in Uganda

4.     To empower and increase incomes of 50 rural women as Irrigation Champions in the community

Expected result
  • High farmer adaptation to climate change effects as usage of irrigation kits
  • Increased farm production leading to increased food security and incomes
  • 400 farmers actively harvesting water and have enough water to irrigate their crops and for home usage
  • Improved farming practices leading to environmental conservation and reduced climate change effects
  • Improved incomes and business skills for 50 Women Irrigation Champions
Sustainable Development Goals
01. No poverty 02. Zero hunger 05. Gender equality 06. Clean water and sanitation 13. Climate action 15. Life on land
About me / organisation
Noah Ssempijja

The project will be lead by Noah Ssempijja the YICEUganda founder and program Director. Noah has over 8 years of work experience in Agribusiness field and working with refugee communities. He has worked on impactful agriculture projects funded by the Gates and Melinda Foundation, Implemented agribusiness trainings. He has attained extensive training and exposure in Permaculture. Noah holds a bachelor’s Degree in Adult and Community Education and has post graduate training in Agribusiness and Sustainable Development. Noah will provide leadership and strategic guidance to the implementation of the project.

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