Agroforestry in Karamoja: final report 2024
A project that combines environment, nutrition and development to transform schools and communities. Find out how a greener, healthier future is being built in Moroto.
In 2024, a revolutionary project transformed six schools and their communities in the Moroto district of Uganda. The goal? To improve nutrition and promote environmental sustainability through agroforestry and community support. Funded and coordinated by the Costa Family Foundation, in collaboration with ‘Together we can...’, the project represents a concrete step towards a greener and healthier future for the region.
Interventions that make a difference
The project focused on:
- Training and agricultural resources: The six schools received seeds, tools and fruit trees to create school gardens and green areas. In parallel, local communities were trained to manage their own gardens and savings groups.
- Water collection systems: To ensure the sustainability of the gardens, rainwater collection systems in each school were repaired and improved, increasing the total storage capacity by 69,400 litres.
Tangible results in schools
The school gardens have brought immediate and significant changes:
- Cultivated vegetables such as kale, spinach, tomatoes and peas have been incorporated into school meals, improving the nutrition of more than 4,000 students.
- Each school created green spaces with fruit trees and timber, raising awareness among the children about the importance of the environment.
For example, Nadunget Primary School harvested 500 kg of sweet potatoes and 125 kg of tomatoes, which were incorporated into school meals and eaten by the students.
A positive impact on communities
The project was not limited to schools. Six farmer groups were successfully trained, resulting in:
- Economic gains: Products such as peas and kale were sold in local markets, generating income for families.
- Savings groups: The groups accumulated total savings of more than 10 million UGX, which were used for family needs, education and entrepreneurial activities.
Despite difficulties, such as adverse weather conditions and patchy participation by some members, the project has left a lasting impression.
Challenges and solutions
The schools and communities faced significant obstacles, including:
- Lack of continued engagement by some beneficiaries.
- Impacts of drought and heavy rains.
Through regular monitoring and ongoing support, local teams found creative solutions, such as replacing dead trees and promoting greater collaboration among participants.
A replicable model
This project demonstrates that an integrated approach, combining nutrition, environmental education and economic support, can have a transformative impact. With the continued commitment of the Costa Family Foundation, Moroto is a concrete example of how small interventions can lead to big changes.
The hope planted today will grow tomorrow, not only in Moroto's gardens and forests, but also in the lives of those who have embraced this opportunity.
