Climate-smart mechanisation gains ground in Acholi

26 June 2026, 2:45 pm

By Daniel Omuge

Farmers in the Acholi Sub-region are increasingly embracing climate-smart agricultural mechanisation following a strategic partnership between Shalom Ventures and Palladium under the Climate Smart Jobs initiative, aimed at improving productivity, reducing post-conflict farming challenges, and strengthening resilience to climate change.

The partnership has brought tractor services closer to farmers through a mechanisation hub located in Anaka Town Council, Nwoya District. The hub provides tractor repair services, operator training, spare parts, and access to climate-smart farm machinery, including walking tractors and related equipment.

According to Shalom Ventures founder Charles Kaya, the intervention was informed by research showing that more than 500 tractors across Northern Uganda had become non-operational due to a lack of spare parts.

“Many tractor owners were forced to travel to Kampala to access spare parts, making maintenance costly and unsustainable. We established this centre to address that challenge and ensure farmers can access services closer to them,” Mr Kaya said.

Kaya explained that Shalom Ventures now stocks spare parts for major tractor brands operating in Uganda, including specialised components such as injector pumps, thereby reducing downtime for farmers and commercial tractor operators.

Beyond repairs, the company is promoting climate-smart mechanisation—an agricultural approach that uses efficient technologies to boost production while protecting soil health and adapting to climate change.

Unlike conventional heavy tillage systems, climate-smart machinery such as walking tractors reduces soil disturbance, minimises compaction, conserves soil moisture, and supports sustainable land use.

Kaya also dismissed long-standing cultural misconceptions that discourage women from operating tractors.

“There is a harmful myth that women who operate tractors may suffer miscarriages or infertility. This is false. We have trained many female operators, and they are performing exceptionally well,” he said.

His remarks highlight the growing role of women in agricultural mechanisation, challenging gender stereotypes that have historically limited female participation in commercial farming.

Lillian Babazi, Director at Shalom Ventures, said more women are now confidently embracing mechanised farming.

“I was trained after school when I joined the company, and today I can operate a tractor. Women should take this opportunity seriously because mechanisation improves livelihoods and creates economic independence,” Ms Babazi noted.

Her testimony reflects a broader shift in the Acholi Sub-region, where women are increasingly taking leadership roles in climate-resilient agriculture and agribusiness.

Jacob Olweny said the partnership between Palladium and Shalom Ventures seeks to make mechanisation more accessible, particularly for smallholder farmers.

He noted that smaller climate-smart machines such as walking tractors are often better suited to local farming conditions.

“Small tractors are affordable, easier to maintain, and can navigate farms with trees or uneven terrain. They also reduce excessive soil compaction compared to heavy tractors,” Mr Olweny explained.

The Climate Smart Jobs project, implemented by Palladium, promotes sustainable agricultural transformation through interventions in crop production, agroforestry, farmer group enterprises, and the adoption of improved agricultural inputs, among others, with a target of reaching over 900,000 farmers in Uganda.

A key component of the programme is Wii Got, a community-based initiative designed to strengthen last-mile delivery of agricultural services and technologies by linking farmers, tractor owners, extension workers, and agribusiness agents.