Mercy Corps and Pader district authorities collaborate to strengthen farmer capacities

12 June 2026, 11:02 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Mercy Corps is partnering with local government authorities to equip farmers in Pader with the skills and knowledge needed to adopt climate-smart agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

As part of this collaboration, nine farmers from four subcounties, including Awere and Ajan, recently participated in a two-day residential training on climate-resilient agriculture held in Gulu City. 

The program focuses on integrated water source management, soil and water conservation, and natural resource management. 

Participants are learning practical techniques such as terracing and rainwater harvesting to cope with increasingly erratic weather patterns.

Lawrence Otim, Programs Manager at Mercy Corps, emphasised that the NGO’s activities complement government initiatives by providing technical support, promoting private sector involvement, and introducing climate-smart agricultural inputs. 

Otim who also leads the implementation of the program ‘PUMP UP’ (Powering the Uptake of Climate Change Mitigation Pumps) and noted that climate change affects everyone globally, regardless of education or background.

Through this joint effort, Mercy Corps and district authorities are helping farmers improve both production and marketing of vegetables, enhancing long-term resilience and economic benefits for local communities.

Alfred Akena, LC V Chairperson, highlighted the pivotal role of agriculture in Uganda’s economy and stressed the importance of technical support for farmers. 

He encouraged proper documentation and monitoring of extension services and local projects to ensure that farmers fully benefit from development programs, underlining collaboration as key to sustaining agricultural growth.

Seydou Adolatona Opoka, Acting District Production Officer for Pader, outlined plans for Uganda’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Value Chain Transformation Project, which will run until 2028. 

Opoka explained that while six years may seem long, it is relatively short for achieving meaningful transformation, particularly with only three years remaining.

The project targets several key value chains, including livestock, crops, beneficial insects, mono crops, and fisheries.