The Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Tourism of Mountains of the Moon University, on July 25th 2025, trained farmers in the Mountainous areas of Karungura Sub-County in Kabarole District on best agronomic practices.
According to Dr. Mary Ekyaligonza, a Lecturer from the Faculty of Agriculture, while farming in Mountainous areas, it is important to use terraces since they play a crucial role in water and soil conservation, particularly in hilly areas by reducing runoff erosion, increasing water infiltration, and improving agricultural productivity.
This was during the Careful irrigation project training of coffee and banana farmers held in Kanyamura Village, Nyakitokoli parish, Karangura Sub-County county Kabarole District.
The project is being implemented by MMU and JESE with funding from IHI DELFT University from the Netherlands in the Rwenzori region, aiming at enhancing food production while minimizing Environmental Impact.
Dr. Ekyaligonza said terraces create flat, cultivable land on slopes, expanding the area available for farming and enabling more intensive agricultural practices.
She added that in such hilly areas, farmers need to focus on mulching their gardens, planting different tree species that are environmentally friendly, and planting improved artificial grasses to control the washing away of top fertile soils by running water.
She encouraged family members to work together for more food production to fight famine and hunger in households. She said this will increase harvests and surplus for sale.
Akoraebirungi Benedict, a staff member at MMU, asked farmers to always first plan for their land before using it for proper utilization and management.
He said that sustainable Land Management practices increase farm productivity and enhance soil resilience to any form of hazards.
He added that land management also helps an individual to allocate suitable land for agriculture, construction works, and any other activities, which is vital for proper planning.
He encouraged farmers to carry out soil testing to understand soil pH for which specific crop to be grown, adopt intercropping, crop rotation, and agroforestry while conserving the Environment.
The Farmers, on the other hand, asked MMU and other high authorities to provide free farm tools to use in coffee farms for better production.
Mr. Muhindo Hezrone Khalyata, a local farmer trainer and mobilizer, appreciated the engagements usually conducted by Mountains of the Moon University to empower communities for improved agriculture and environmental protection.
He called for more training and mindset change campaigns to change farmers’ perception of coffee growing and conservation initiatives. However, he noted that farmers are challenged with limited farm tools, which hinders their production.
He asked MMU, government, and other organizations to provide farm equipment like hoes, spades, pruning saws and bow saws, wheelbarrows, tarpaulins, and specialized equipment for drying, fermentation, among others.
Mountains of the Moon University continues to conduct community engagement, emphasizing knowledge and skills sharing among the community members for social and economic transformation.
Written by Phillip Tumwebaze
