Planting for a Changing Climate

When the 2024 dry season hit Kumi district harder than any in living memory, most farming families watched their crops wither. But the 200 households in the Amuria Farmers' Cooperative — participants in Acme Foundation's Climate Resilience program — harvested enough to feed their families and sell the surplus.

"Before the program, we planted the same varieties our grandparents used," says Ikara Moses, the cooperative's chairperson. "When the rains changed, we had no answer. Now we have drought-resistant maize, improved cassava, and water harvesting tanks that carry us through the dry months."

Acme Foundation's climate resilience team worked with the Amuria cooperative for 18 months, providing training on drought-resistant crop varieties, soil conservation techniques, and rainwater harvesting. Each household received seed kits and technical support from our agricultural extension officers, who visited monthly to troubleshoot and adjust approaches based on local conditions.

The cooperative also received support to organize collectively — pooling resources to negotiate better prices with buyers, sharing equipment, and establishing a community seed bank that reduces dependence on external suppliers.

"The difference is not just the seed," Ikara explains. "It is the knowledge and the cooperation. We learned to plan together, to share what works, and to prepare for the worst season instead of just hoping for the best."

Scaling the Model

The Amuria model has been replicated in five other sub-counties across Teso sub-region. In 2025, Acme Foundation's climate program reached 800 farming households and installed 45 community-level rainwater harvesting systems. Participating households reported 35% higher crop yields during dry seasons compared to non-participants.