RUFS project hosts two-day training in improving smallholder resilience
The RUFS Project, led by Frank Mugagga at Makerere University recently held an intensive two-day training workshop (13-14 October 2025) for smallholder farmers in the Kasese Municipality.
The purpose was to equip farmers with practical skills in organic pesticide and fertiliser production, rain-water harvesting and purification, and adaptive agronomic practices to help withstand both flooding and drought risks.
During the workshop, farmers learned how to make pesticides and soil fertilisers using locally available materials and nutrient-rich plants such as Tithonia, Amaranthus, Blackjack and others, along with ash, animal and human urine, and simple rainwater-trapping and purification techniques. These methods contribute to more sustainable, cost-effective farming while enhancing resilience to variable water availability.
Beyond the technical training, the article emphasizes the importance of farmer organisation and collective action. Farmer groups and associations were highlighted as vital for sustaining progress. A representative farmer urged fellow smallholders to join such clusters, apply business approaches to fertiliser/pesticide production and leverage demonstration sites to expand knowledge and benefits.
The project also paid a courtesy visit to the bishop of the region (Nason Baluku) to strengthen local alliances and legitimacy.