For over two decades, northern Uganda, and particularly Acholiland, endured the hardships of conflict. The war uprooted families, displaced communities, and led to the loss of not only land but also an entire way of life. As the people of Acholiland rebuild their lives, one of the most critical tasks is to revive traditional farming practices, which sustained generations long before the war. At Koro Farmstay, we are leading an effort to bring back this rich agricultural heritage by reintroducing traditional farming methods and original non-GM seeds.

The Importance of Traditional Seeds

Here’s how we’re working to revive traditional farming and practical steps that can help restore these lost practices:

1. Researching and Documenting Traditional Farming Knowledge

• Connect with Elders and Community Leaders: The knowledge of traditional farming is still alive in the memories of the elders who practiced it before the conflict. Hosting community meetings, recording oral histories, and learning from these elders is one of the most powerful ways to gather the wisdom of the past. At Koro Farmstay, we actively seek out elder farmers who share their expertise on seed preservation, crop rotation, and natural pest control.

• Partnering with Local Universities and NGOs: Academic institutions and non-governmental organizations can offer expertise in documenting traditional agricultural methods. Collaborative research can help preserve indigenous knowledge and make it accessible to future generations.

2. Reintroducing Traditional, Non-GM Seeds

• Source Heirloom Seeds from Local Farmers: Many farmers who escaped the displacement camps may still have heirloom seeds, stored away for safekeeping. Finding and sourcing seeds from these families ensures that the seeds are local, adapted to the environment, and naturally resilient.

• Seed Banks and Cultural Heritage Projects: Institutions like seed banks preserve genetic diversity and safeguard indigenous seed varieties. We have partnered with organizations that work to protect traditional seed varieties, ensuring we can access the seeds of crops that were once staples in Acholiland, such as millet, sorghum, groundnuts, and native maize.

• Seed Exchange Programs: Farmers in surrounding areas who still grow indigenous crops can be part of seed exchange programs. By promoting seed swaps, we help redistribute traditional seeds among local farmers, restoring the genetic diversity of the region’s crops.

3. Promoting Agroecology and Sustainable Practices

• Reintroducing Crop Rotation and Intercropping: Traditional farming in Acholiland was not only about seeds; it involved ecological practices that worked harmoniously with nature. Reviving crop rotation and intercropping—where different plants are grown together to support soil health—ensures that farming methods are sustainable. This also helps in natural pest control and improves soil fertility without synthetic fertilizers.

• Natural Pest Management and Soil Enrichment: Before synthetic pesticides, farmers relied on natural pest deterrents like neem, ash, and specific companion plants that kept crops healthy. Teaching these techniques again ensures organic farming thrives, keeping harmful chemicals out of the land and water systems.

4. Training the Next Generation

• Workshops and Demonstrations: We run workshops at Koro Farmstay to teach both the youth and displaced farmers how to grow crops using traditional methods. By offering hands-on training, we ensure that the next generation inherits the knowledge needed to sustain themselves without reliance on external technologies like GM seeds and chemical fertilizers.

• Farm Apprenticeships: Our farm offers apprenticeship programs for local youth interested in learning organic farming and seed-saving techniques. This encourages the younger generation to take pride in farming and regard it as a viable, sustainable career path.

5. Building Seed Libraries and Community Seed Banks

• Create a Local Seed Library: Establishing a local seed library allows community members to borrow seeds, grow their crops, and return new seeds at the end of the season. This exchange strengthens communal ties and ensures that indigenous seed varieties continue to circulate among farmers.

• Community Seed Banks: In collaboration with local and international organizations, Koro Farmstay is building a community seed bank where traditional seeds are stored and maintained. This will serve as an agricultural insurance policy for future generations, ensuring a stable supply of non-GM, locally adapted seeds.

6. Advocating for Policy Change

• Protecting Indigenous Seeds through Policy: Advocacy for policies that protect indigenous seeds is critical. Working with local authorities, policymakers, and agricultural cooperatives, we aim to ensure that non-GM seeds are protected, and small-scale farmers have the freedom to use and exchange their own seeds without restrictions from corporate seed monopolies.

7. Celebrating Indigenous Crops and Traditional Farming through Agritourism

• Agritourism as a Learning Experience: At Koro Farmstay, we invite visitors to participate in farm tours that showcase traditional farming methods. Tourists have the opportunity to learn about traditional crops, help with seed-saving techniques, and understand the importance of protecting agricultural heritage. This not only brings in revenue but also helps preserve and spread awareness of traditional farming methods globally.

• Cultural Festivals Celebrating Indigenous Agriculture: Organizing cultural festivals focused on traditional foods and farming methods will celebrate and restore pride in these practices. These events can also serve as platforms for seed exchanges, workshops, and discussions on sustainable agriculture.

8. Restoring Agroforestry Practices

• Incorporating Indigenous Trees and Perennials: Traditional farming in Acholiland often integrated agroforestry, where trees like shea and acacia grew alongside crops, providing shade, preventing soil erosion, and improving biodiversity. Reintroducing these trees into farming systems helps create more resilient ecosystems and restore the balance between agriculture and the natural environment.

Conclusion

Building a Sustainable Future by Looking to the Past

By reviving traditional farming methods and protecting non-GM seeds, we are reclaiming Acholiland’s agricultural heritage and ensuring that it continues to sustain future generations. Koro Farmstay stands as a beacon of hope in the effort to revive practices that respect the land, foster biodiversity, and empower local communities. The ecological and cultural significance of this movement cannot be overstated—what we grow today, we pass on to tomorrow.

Through continued community collaboration, education, and advocacy, the revival of traditional farming will not only feed people but also reconnect them with the wisdom of their ancestors, ensuring that Acholiland’s soil remains fertile and life-giving for generations to come.