
Ivan’s mother sharing her knowledge with him in his coffee farm

Ivan working in his tomato garden
“When I was younger, my mother’s coffee would grow almost effortlessly but over the years as temperatures have gradually risen and seasons have become increasing unreliable, it takes a lot more skill.” – Ivan Ssembajwe.

Ivan’s coffee leaves drying due to extremely hot temperatures

The Black Coffee Twig Borer pest in Ivan’s coffee due to climate change
“At HRNS, we mostly support setting up of demonstrations, extension and training farmers on different climate-smart practices like mulching, trenching, shade tree planting, cover crops and others,” explains Victor Komakech the ARC Project Manager in Uganda. These trainings have reached over 1,600 coffee farming families in Ntungamo and Luwero (where Ivan hosts a demonstration plot.) Similarly, IITA has set up 20 demonstration plots of a tool they developed called the Climate Smart Investment Pathway (Stepwise). “Stepwise is an approach which breaks down the entire package of climate-smart practices and good agronomic practices into small affordable units that farmers can implement in phases,” explains David Mukasa, IITA’s Research Associate. As a result, many farmers in Luwero have learned how to gradually increase their yields within their means.

A Stepwise host farmer in Luwero applying manure which he can afford

An OFTT plot in Mbale
“On my demonstration plot, I have implemented the following; trenching, pruning, stumping, mulching, shade tree planting and pest and disease control. Additionally, the ARC project has supported me to set up a rainwater harvesting well for irrigation,” Ivan Ssembajwe testifies.

Ivan sharing his knowledge on climate-smart practices with a fellow farmer

Ivan’s rainwater harvesting well under construction

Ivan applying mulch using dried banana leaves

Ivan’s creative and simple beetle trap technology