Apac tree nurseries step up to beat climate heat

31 December 2025, 11:14 pm

By, Mike Okwang Ogule & Daniel Odongo

Tree nursery operators in Apac District are scaling up production of fast-maturing tree species as the region battles worsening environmental degradation and extreme heat linked to climate change.

The initiative supports the Presidential directive on restoring deforested areas and curbing commercial charcoal production, which has made progress but continues to face challenges. Apac has been hit by prolonged dry spells, soaring temperatures, and recurring droughts that undermine agricultural productivity, prompting nursery operators to act quickly.

Nursery managers say they are working to ensure seedlings are ready before the onset of the next rainy season so farmers can plant in time. At Tropical Tree Nursery in Arocha Division, workers are nurturing clonal tree species for poles and timber, alongside fruit trees, despite harsh weather conditions.

Manager Juliet Amoo explained that species grown for poles mature in about two and a half years, while timber species take around eight years. “We are not only conserving the environment for healthier living but also creating a reliable source of income for both nursery operators and farmers,” she said.

In Atik Cell, Atik Division, Tonny Ogwal, manager of Juliana and Son Quality Tree Nursery, reported rising demand for seedlings both within and outside the district. “We serve both internal and external customers. Demand is rising each year, and we sell millions of seedlings annually,” he noted, adding that their nursery raises eucalyptus from a well-maintained mother garden, with seedlings expected to be ready by the first planting season.

Meanwhile, in Village Inn Cell, Agulu Division, agricultural officer Rubby Bob Ocen is establishing a model nursery to supply both food and wood-based species. These include clonal coffee, grafted mangoes, grafted avocados, clonal eucalyptus, and other fast-maturing varieties.

Ocen attributed worsening climatic conditions to human activities such as wetland encroachment and deforestation without replanting. He emphasized the need for stricter policies: “We need a clear ‘cut one, plant one’ rule. Without it, no one should cut down a tree. The effects of deforestation are becoming a serious challenge in this region.”

Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, environmental conservation still receives limited public attention, posing a continued threat to health, livelihoods, and agricultural production in Northern Uganda.