KAMPALA – Uganda’s agriculture sector is in balance due to several challenges exacerbated by climate change, soil degradation, and unsustainable farming practices, such as monoculture cropping (e.g., maize, beans, sugarcane), inappropriate use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Thus, monoculture reduces biodiversity, while inappropriate use chemical inputs present risks of pollution of soils and water bodies. On the other hand, forest land use change due to agricultural expansion results in loss of carbon sequestration capacity, further intensifying global warming. Soil degradation due to nutrient depletion and erosion is another critical concern, reducing soil fertility and its ability to store soil carbon.
In Uganda, approximately 41% of the land is experiencing degradation, with soils suffering from low fertility, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, and a loss of organic matter and essential nutrients. Vågen, et al., (2016) argues that is mainly due to nutrient mining and soil erosion caused by poor management practices. The resulting loss of soil quality directly impacts agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Regenerative agriculture presents an opportunity for addressing these challenges.
Besides, they offer a promising solution for sustainable farming and community well- being. As the world approaches World Soils Day on 5 December 2024, its presents an opportunity for reflection by Government, Non-Government, Private sector, Research & Academic Institutions and the wider public on how we manage the soils. The theme for the day is, ‘Caring for Soils: measure, Monitor, Manage, which underpins the importance of accurate soil data and information in understanding soil characteristics and supporting informed decision making on sustainable soil. Thus, Regenerative agriculture practices are among the key strategies that should be scaled up for soil care and management.
According to Regeneration International (2019), Regenerative Agriculture refers to farming and grazing practices that aim at reversing climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity resulting in both carbon sequestration and improving the water cycle. On the other hand, Regenerative
Grazing is a Regenerative Agriculture practice that integrates various farm elements, including livestock movements between different pasture areas to prevent overgrazing. This rotation allows pastures to rest and recover, promoting healthy grass growth and reducing soil erosion. Each pasture is given time to regenerate before being grazed again (Noble Research Institute, 2024).
The core of Regenerative Grazing is its ability to restore soil fertility. When livestock are rotated, pastures are allowed to recover, enhancing root systems, increasing soil organic matter, and improving overall soil health. This leads to healthier soils that retain more moisture, improve nutrient availability, and support more productive pastures. Additionally, the grazing method promotes biodiversity by fostering diverse plant species that enrich the soil and provide a range of nutritional options for livestock. By enhancing soil quality, Regenerative Grazing addresses the critical issues of soil degradation and fertility depletion, helping to restore the vital resources needed for sustainable agriculture in Uganda.
Regenerate Africa, a non-government organisation, which aims at accelerating Africa’s just transition to a regenerative economy through adoption of regenerative human development approaches where people, businesses and our planet thrive in harmony is one of the organizations fronting the practice of Regenerative Agriculture and Regenerative Grazing among rural farmers through its Nalumuli Ecosystem Regeneration and Sustainability Center, a demonstration farm located in Buikwe District, Ssi Bukunja Sub County.
The demonstration farm initially focused on cultivating essential crops such as coffee, cocoa, cassava, maize, beans, tomatoes, onions, bananas, and yams which were more prevalent in Buikwe district. The farm’s expansion to include cattle rearing marked a significant step towards a holistic approach to farming. At Nalumuli Ecosystem Regeneration and Sustainability Center, the core of our regenerative grazing approach is the practice of planned rotational grazing by systematically moving livestock between pastures, we allow grasslands to recover and regenerate. This not only enhances forage quality but also promotes deeper root growth, which is crucial for soil health. We cultivate a variety of grasses and legumes such as elephant grass and Bermuda grass which not only enrich the soil but also provide diverse nutritional options for our livestock. This biodiversity enhances ecosystem. resilience, making it more robust against pests and diseases.
By focusing on soil health, we ensure that our grazing practices contribute to long- term agricultural productivity. We also integrate trees into our farming system. Trees. are planted not only for their aesthetic and environmental benefits but also for their practical advantage like enhancing air quality, provide shade for both livestock and crops, and controlling soil erosion. Besides, the provides opportunity for community to learn through practical trainings and awareness campaigns on application regenerative practices for agricultural enterprises (e.g. livestock keeping, vegetables, banana and coffee) management through agroforestry farming system.
This has resulted in sustainable change on our farm and in the Ssi Bukunjacommunity in terms of livelihoods improvement (for instance food security and increased incomes). For instance, soil quality and health has significantly improved, with increased organic matter and microbial diversity. Healthier soils enhance water retention and nutrient availability, leading to more productive pastures, with better pasture quality and diverse forage, our livestock are healthier and more productive. Thus, lower disease rates and improved weight gain among animals have been reported. The implementation of these practices has resulted in more robust pasture growth, allowing us to sustainably support a larger number of livestock without overgrazing.
Private actors like Mr Leonard Mutesasira, who partnered with Regenerate Africa to establish the Nalumuli Ecosystem Regeneration and Sustainability Center, attests to the environmental stewardship in the community due to Regenerate Africa interventions. These are great additions to his earlier efforts for promoting environment conservation through supporting Ssi Bukunja community tree growing by providing tree seedlings and facilitating women community music groups to create awareness on the benefits of sustainable use and management of the environment. The L.C. 2 chairperson of Zzitwe Parish, Mr. Ronald Nsubuga, has also observed the benefits of regenerative grazing. He notes that, “Farmers who have adopted these practices have seen an increase in food production, contributing to household food security and providing additional income from surplus produce.”
Despite the many benefits, regenerative grazing practices also come with challenges. One notable issue is the increased risk of snake bites due to changes in habitat and soil conditions. To address this, Nalumuli Ecosystem Regeneration and Sustainability Center has implemented preventive measures, including fencing around grazing areas, using medicines to deter snakes, and advising workers to wear protective gear such as gumboots. Traditional herbal treatments for snake bites are also utilized, reflecting the integration of local knowledge with modern farming practices.
Above all, harnessing of the full potential of regenerative grazing in Uganda, requires collective action by responsible actors (both Government and Non-Government). Empowering farmers through workshops and training programs is crucial for teaching regenerative techniques that blend local knowledge with innovative practices. Establishing community grazing associations can foster cooperation, resource sharing, and peer learning among farmers, helping to scale regenerative practices across Uganda, Policymakers should include incentives for sustainable practices in Uganda’s agricultural strategy, making regenerative grazing a priority. Continuous research and dissemination of findings by academia and research institutions is essential for understanding the best practices for different regions, as the scaling up and out of regenerative agriculture is being pursued. Together, through collaborative efforts, we can create a sustainable future for Uganda’s agriculture and restore the health of our soils for generations to come.
The author, Nabwami Erone Purity Mukiibi is the Program Assistant Community Mobilization Support and Liaison at Regenerate Africa
