A ‘new harvest’: How farmers in Aromo are adapting to climate change

18 September 2025, 6:13 pm

By Sarah Ejang

The midday sun beats down on Aromo Sub-County in northern Uganda’s Lira district, its heat a familiar, often unforgiving, presence.

For generations, farmers here have relied on the rhythms of the seasons, but those rhythms are now unpredictable.

 The rains come late or not at all, and the dry spells are longer than ever before. Yet, in the face of this new reality, a quiet revolution is taking root. Farmers are embracing climate-smart agriculture, not just as a survival tactic, but as a path to prosperity.

In the village of Ageo B, Hilder Ajok stands in the middle of a vibrant green plot, a testament to her determination. She’s not growing the traditional maize or millet, but half a hectare of thriving tomatoes. “I was inspired by an exhibition organized by Infonile earlier this year,” she explains, her voice full of purpose.

This exhibition took place in the Aromo sub-county headquarters to demonstrate how farmers are implementing practices for climate change adaptation, attracting thousands of farmers, stakeholders, and agro-input dealers.

Using a simple, locally-sourced irrigation system, Ajok has managed to cultivate a crop that’s now ready for market. But her journey hasn’t been easy. “The rising costs of pesticides have become a significant hurdle,” she admits, as she navigates the constant threat of pests.

Still, Ajok is a true believer. She advocates for these new techniques, highlighting their potential to improve crop growth and offer “improved home remedies”. Her story is a powerful example of how innovative practices can build greater resilience within farming communities.

Just a few miles away in Ayami village – of the same sub county of Aromo, Odit Samuel has found similar success with a different crop. For nearly three years, he has been cultivating cabbages, a shift he says has been “far more lucrative than traditional maize farming”. Even during long dry spells, his cabbages continue to thrive, providing a steady income. Odit’s earnings—ranging from 4 to 5 million Ugandan shillings per hectare—have allowed him to pay his children’s school fees, a crucial achievement for any parent.

 He bypasses the volatile market by selling his harvest directly to local schools and other institutions like technical college and church, ensuring a consistent demand for his produce.

Despite not having the funds for an advanced irrigation system, he’s made effective use of local methods to maximize yieldS. With this, he says he earns 4 to 5 million Uganda shillings (about 1,427.16USD) per cultivation.

Odit’s success story proves the real economic viability of climate-smart agriculture.

Agriculture Experts Upbeat

Climate smart agriculture is not only exciting farmers in Northern Uganda.

This ground-up movement is gaining support from agricultural experts, as well – and one of them is Owani Denis, the agricultural officer for Aromo Sub-County.

He stresses that by adopting climate smart agricultural practices by the end of this year, farmers will not only enhance resilience against climate change but also improve food security and sustainability within the region.

Owani notes that Aromo Sub County is actively implementing various strategies to address climate change.

Among these strategies, he points out sustainable agricultural practices, promoting reforestation initiatives, and enhancing community awareness about environmental conservation.

Additionally, “efforts are being made to improve water management systems and reduce carbon emissions through the adoption of renewable energy sources,” according to Owani, adding that “hese measures aim to build resilience within the community and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on both the environment and local livelihoods.”

Progress Amidst Challenges

The path forward in adoption of climate smart agriculture is not without challenges. Serogal Atia, an agro-input dealer with a local company Agrosalt Limited, points out that a lack of awareness, limited resources, and deeply entrenched traditional farming methods are major obstacles for smallholder farmers.

“Small-scale farmers often struggle with limited access to the necessary resources for implementing climate smart agriculture solutions,” Atia notes.

To overcome these hurdles, Atia believes it’s crucial to understand local economies and improve distribution channels so products are more accessible.

He also strongly advocates for community engagement through farmer cooperatives to better address farmers’ specific needs and preferences.

Looking ahead, Atia is optimistic. He foresees a future where government policies support these initiatives, and new technologies enhance farming efficiency.

Community education on these techniques, he believes, will become paramount as farmers actively seek sustainable solutions.

Atia also stresses the importance of his own role, noting that agro-input dealers must stock drought-resistant products and offer advisory services to empower farmers through this transition. He believes that collaborative integrated agricultural training programs and the establishment of cooperative societies can help host and refugee farmers in West Nile and Northern Uganda.

The stories of Hilder Ajok and Odit Samuel, combined with the insights from experts like Owani and Atia, show the immense potential of climate-smart agriculture to reshape the region’s agricultural landscape.

By embracing innovative practices and resilient strategies, these farmers are not only securing their own livelihoods but are also contributing to a more sustainable future in the face of a changing climate.

THE STORY WAS COMPILED WITH SUPPORT FROM INFONILE UGANDA