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Partner Update: Soil Health & Climate Action in Uganda
Rich Earth is collaborating with a new project in Uganda by providing fiscal sponsorship on a small grant supporting the Giving Hope Foundation’s Soil Health and Improvement project in the Hoima district. The project is evaluating how different organic bionutrient soil treatments affect soil fertility and crop growth under local conditions, while improving degraded land. The grant will enable the project to install a urine-diverting demonstration toilet that can be accessed by all the farmers participating in the project; conduct training sessions on the use and maintenance of the toilet; and collect user feedback to improve the design and functionality, to aid the adoption of UD toilets in the community.
In two prior seasons the group conducted experiments with different combinations of urine and biochar on 36 demonstration plots, 12 each for maize, beans and ground nuts. These are staple crops, important for local food security and the economic well-being of the local farmers. (The group is currently using rabbit urine, from an associated rabbit project, while they develop their human urine collection program.) The grant will extend the project to several nearby villages, and incorporate regenerative planting techniques, including intercropping, crop rotation, and minimum tillage.
Preliminary observations suggest that the combination of urine and biochar is positively affecting the soil’s structure and nutrient levels. The treated plots have shown better water retention, and soil observations are showing some indicators of microbial activity, which is crucial for healthy plant growth. There was strong seedling emergence across the treated plots. Beans, maize, and groundnuts all exhibited vigorous growth, with greener leaves and stronger stems compared to untreated plots.
The group reports that by integrating these natural methods into farming practices, they can help enhance the livelihood of local smallholder farmers, reduce environmental impacts, and build a healthier future for local communities. The group has recently established a new name to better reflect their focus, so watch for info on the Soil Health & Climate Action Network (SHCAN) Ltd.
