Our mission
We are a collaborative team of women and partners—rooted both within the Acholi community and in wider networks—working together to strengthen locally led farming initiatives in Northern Uganda.
Our mission is to support community-defined pathways to economic independence and food sovereignty, by building on existing knowledge, land relationships, and collective practices. We co-create structures that expand access to resources, fair markets, and stable income—on terms defined by the women involved.
Our Approach
We start from what is already here and working: farming. In the Acholi region, farming is a deeply rooted livelihood, knowledge system, and cultural practice. Over 80% of the population is engaged in agriculture.
Since the Acholi know the drill, we are here to stand alongside women farmers as they navigate structural barriers such as limited market access, rising costs, and climate-related risks. Together, we focus on practical strategies that reflect local priorities and lived realities.
This includes:
- Collective decision-making around crops, land use, and revenue distribution
- Community farming on shared land, creating accessible employment opportunities
- Contract farming agreements, where women cultivate crops on their own land with guaranteed buyers
- Risk-sharing mechanisms, including crop diversity and insurance
We recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of conflict and global inequalities, while centering the leadership, agency, and future visions of the communities.
Acholi Region
In Northern Uganda’s Acholi region, communities continue to rebuild local economies following the conflict involving the Lord’s Resistance Army (1986–2006), during which over 100,000 people were killed and more than 2 million were displaced. While significant progress has been made, structural economic inequalities and limited access to stable markets continue to affect rural livelihoods.
Recent reductions in international assistance, including funding cuts associated with the USAID, have further strained local systems. These shifts have contributed to increased food prices and reduced household income, making it more difficult for families to consistently meet basic needs such as food, school fees, and healthcare.
At the same time, community-based systems—such as smallholder farming, informal markets, and village savings groups—remain critical to economic resilience. Strengthening these existing structures offers a practical and locally grounded pathway toward improved income stability and long-term self-sufficiency.
What we do
A shared farming model
Our work combines community farming and individual farming to balance immediate income with long-term growth.
Community farms
- Located on parish lands
- Managed collectively
- Create accessible employment opportunities
Contract-farming
- Women will receive seeds to cultivate on their own lands
- Harvests are purchased through the initiative
- Provides market security and reduced risk
Buyer security
All produce is collectively aggregated and sold to commercial buyers, strengthening bargaining power and reducing uncertainty.
Crops
We work with a mix of crops to spread risk and support both short- and long-term income:
Sorghum
- Reliable and adaptable
- 2 seasons
- Linked to commercial buyers for consistent demand
Simsim (sesame)
- High market value
- Expands income opportunities
- Supports diversification
Coffee
- Long-term investment crop
- Builds future financial stability over multiple seasons
Crop decisions are made collaboratively, based on land conditions, market access, and farmer priorities.
Financial model
Expenditures
An initial investment of 20,000,000 UGX (€5000) supports the first phase of the initiative. This covers:
- Land preparation/ ploughing. After removal of topsoil debris an large vegetation, a tractor will be rented for 100.000 UGX per acre.
- Necessary tools such as: hoes, gloves, tarpaulins, storage bags, hand sickles, rakes.
- Seeds, both for community farm (25 acres) and individual farming (75 acres).
- Labour compensation. The current budget allows to cover 50% after the work is done, and 50% after harvest. This allows the women to join the project without sacrificing present needs. All donations above the targeted amount, will go towards earlier pay-outs.
- Crop insurance. A good harvest is highly dependent on weather conditions, climate change is posing a critical treat by undermining production. A crop insurance will, in any circumstances, allow the project to continue.
- Transportation costs for distribution, project monitoring and harvest collection. Vehicles are made available free of charge by the parish.
Income distribution
- Women working on community farms receive a share of profits (10–25%), based on their contribution
- Farmers engaged in contract farming earn directly from their harvests
Reinvestment
Revenue is reinvested to:
- Expand farming activities
- Bring more land into use
- Strengthen community-owned loan groups
Over time, funds also support access to education and healthcare.
Where we work
The project is located in Acholi region, Northern Uganda.
The first season will focus on Alokolum (Gulu District) and Alelele (Nwoya district). The available 25 acres are spread out over 8 different villages in the areas to ensure accessibility and reduce transportation barriers.
The land for the community farms is made available by the Diocese of Gulu, under supervision of Lacor Parish. The land is currently not in use and will be made available for long-term use for the project. A broader ecumenical approach is taken in the project, meaning we are aiming for cooperation, mutual understanding, and shared action among diverse religious and spiritual groups. In simple terms: all women regardless of religious background are approached and welcomed to join the project.