In 2024, Karamoja faced a tough year with droughts, floods, and wildlife invading farmlands. But instead of giving up, communities got to work. With support from MUCOBADI, they found practical ways to deal with these challenges.

Simple Farming Solutions That Work

MUCOBADI introduced easy-to-use farming practices to help communities deal with tough weather:

• Drought-Resistant Crops: Farmers started growing hardy crops like sorghum, millet, and cassava that can survive dry spells.
• Taking Care of the Soil: Techniques like mulching and crop rotation keep the soil healthy and prevent erosion.
• Saving Water: Communities built water dams and rainwater collection systems to store water for dry times.
• Efficient Irrigation: Youth groups learned how to set up drip irrigation systems to use water wisely.

These small changes helped farmers grow more food and earn a better income, even in harsh conditions.

Dealing With Wildlife Issues

Wild animals damaging farms is a big problem in some areas. MUCOBADI came up with creative solutions to keep both farms and animals safe:

• Beehive Fences: Placing beehives around farms keeps elephants away since they don’t like bees. Plus, farmers get honey to sell.
• Wildlife Monitoring: Local youth were trained to track animals and use safe ways to keep them off farms.

Youth Leading the Way

MUCOBADI put young people at the center of its climate projects, giving them tools and training to take charge:

• Learning New Skills: Over 500 youth learned about eco-friendly farming, managing natural resources, and using renewable energy.
• Tree Planting Drives: Youth groups planted over 50,000 trees, helping to restore forests and store carbon.
• Green Businesses: Young entrepreneurs started eco-friendly businesses, like making organic fertilizers or drying fruits and veggies using solar energy.

Teaming Up for Bigger Impact

None of this would have been possible without strong partnerships. MUCOBADI worked with:

• Government Programs: Groups like the Ministry of Agriculture helped with expertise and funding.
• Global Partners: Organizations like the Mastercard Foundation and GIZ brought in money and shared ideas.
• Local Groups: By working with local organizations, MUCOBADI made sure the projects fit the community’s needs.

The Results in 2024

By the end of the year, MUCOBADI’s efforts were paying off:

• Farmers lost 40% less of their crops in drought- and flood-prone areas.
• Agricultural output went up by 30% thanks to smarter practices.
• Wildlife-related farm damage dropped by 60%.
• More families earned income from eco-friendly businesses.