MAAIF, FAO Hand Over Walk-Behind Tractors to Karamoja Farmers in Drive to Boost Food Security

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has handed over a range of modern mechanization tools—including 55 handheld walk-behind tractors—to smallholder farmers in Karamoja. The move is seen as a critical step toward reversing the region’s low agricultural productivity, which is largely attributed to dependence on traditional, labor-intensive practices.

The equipment distribution is part of the “Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in the Karamoja Sub-region” (F-SURE) project, a five-year initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and jointly implemented by FAO and UNDP. The project targets over 12,000 farming households across the districts of Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Nabilatuk, and Nakapiripirit.

F-SURE promotes agro-pastoralism—a hybrid approach that combines crop and livestock farming—as a pathway to increased resilience, higher productivity, and reduced conflict over natural resources. Speaking at the handover on Monday, FAO’s outgoing Country Representative in Uganda, Antonio Querido, emphasized the project's long-term vision.

“This project goes beyond distributing equipment; it empowers communities with knowledge and tools to build climate resilience. Mechanization is not just about efficiency—it’s about enabling farmers to produce more, sustainably,” Querido said.

He added that FAO has established 250 Farmer Field Schools across the region, where communities are being trained in climate-smart techniques including agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration, and pasture management. These schools serve as vital centers for knowledge transfer and capacity building. Querido also noted that alongside community-level interventions, the project is supporting policy development at district level, strengthening value chains, and promoting integrated natural resource management. 

“As the tractors roll into the fields and training begins, we believe mechanization will drive productivity, reinforce sustainable practices, and support inclusive policies. The F-SURE project offers a model for agricultural transformation in some of Uganda’s most vulnerable regions,” he said.

“This is just the beginning. Together, we are laying the foundation for a food-secure, resilient Karamoja, where farming is not a struggle for survival, but a pathway to prosperity.”

Representing MAAIF at the ceremony, Eng. Francis Waneloba acknowledged the historical reliance on pastoralism in Karamoja and the recurring challenges of drought, land degradation, and food insecurity. “To ensure that Karamoja is not left behind, we must support the transition to agro-pastoralism where both crops and animals can thrive,” he said.

“By improving livestock breeds, increasing access to water, and developing fodder systems near homesteads, we reduce the need for seasonal migration and enable sustainable crop production.” He pointed out that one of the region’s main agricultural challenges is the overreliance on manual labor, particularly the hand hoe, which restricts how much land can be cultivated and results in poor yields. The introduction of walk-behind tractors, equipped with ploughs, seed and fertilizer planters, and irrigation tools, aims to eliminate this bottleneck.

Paul Ayella, the project head from MAAIF, explained that the program is being implemented in two components: UNDP is leading policy and incentive development, while FAO is responsible for increasing land under sustainable management and developing a resilience monitoring framework. “This institutional backing is crucial to ensure the transformation taking root in Karamoja is not only effective but enduring,” Ayella said.

“Mechanization is a game-changer. We are expanding land use and implementing sustainable land management practices, allowing farmers to increase acreage and yield in an environmentally sound manner.” He revealed that the support package also includes maintenance kits, water bowsers, hose reels, tricycles, and motorcycles to facilitate extension services. FAO has trained MAAIF and local government staff in both technical and business aspects of mechanization to ensure sustainability. 

To avoid the failures of past mechanization projects—often plagued by poor maintenance and weak ownership—F-SURE is adopting a farmer group service provider model. Under this arrangement, selected farmer groups will manage the equipment and offer ploughing services to the wider community at a fee. The approach is expected to promote ownership, create employment opportunities, and generate revenue for equipment maintenance. 

Representing local leaders, Paul Komol Lote, the LC5 Chairperson of Kotido District, expressed optimism about the initiative. “We believe this can change the way our people view crop farming,” he said.“For too long, Karamoja has been marginalized. With this support, we can finally begin to realize our region’s potential.” Komol also urged MAAIF to fast-track investments in livestock and irrigation infrastructure, including the construction of mega-dams, to complement the advances being made in crop production.