Maruzi North schools embrace coffee and tree planting to combat climate change

25 September 2026, 4:15 pm

By Ogolo Ian Smith and Odongo Daniel

Schools in Maruzi North have been urged to embrace coffee growing and tree planting as measures to combat the effects of climate change and prolonged drought in the area.

The call was made by the Maruzi North Member of Parliament, Hon. Bernard Otim Odoc, during an emergency meeting held at Chegere Primary School on Thursday, 24th.

Odoc urged schools to allocate at least two acres of land for coffee growing and tree planting, saying the initiative would promote environmental conservation while giving learners an opportunity to acquire practical agricultural skills.

He said coffee gardens would provide schools and teachers with opportunities to engage learners in practical agricultural activities, including planting, weeding and trimming coffee plants.

Otim said involving learners in maintaining the coffee gardens would help them gain hands-on experience and develop an appreciation for agriculture and environmental conservation.

He added that the income generated from coffee once the crop is ready for harvesting could help schools meet some of their financial needs and potentially reduce the burden on parents, including pressure to meet rising school fees.

Otim also encouraged schools to increase tree planting, saying trees could help protect the soil, improve the environment and strengthen communities’ resilience to prolonged drought and other effects of climate change.

The initiative is intended to promote sustainable agriculture while exposing learners to practical ways of responding to changing weather patterns.

The headteacher of Ongica Primary School, who attended the meeting, shared the school’s experience with coffee growing. He said the school had already established coffee plants and was seeing their potential in supporting environmental conservation and helping the school respond to climate-related challenges.

He said the coffee plants had also given learners an opportunity to participate in practical agricultural activities and understand the importance of maintaining vegetation and protecting the environment.

The headteacher encouraged other schools to establish coffee gardens, saying Ongica Primary School’s experience showed how agriculture could be incorporated into learning while contributing to the long-term development of schools.

Schools, teachers, learners and community members were encouraged to participate in tree planting and other climate-smart agricultural activities to strengthen resilience to drought and climate change.

The meeting brought together education stakeholders and community representatives to discuss practical measures for helping schools and communities address environmental challenges affecting Maruzi North.