At Seed Effect, we define poverty alleviation as the restoration of relationships—with God, with ourselves, with others, and with creation. This year, we’ve doubled down on helping our members restore their relationship with creation through the introduction of conservation agriculture training at all Seed Effect Uganda branches.

Why is this so important?

Unlike in the U.S., where most people buy their food from grocery stores, many Ugandans rely on growing all or at least part of their food. We tend to think of farmers as those who own massive farms, but in Uganda, most families farm just an acre or two to feed themselves and hope to generate a little income by selling surplus crops. However, conventional farming practices, both in Uganda and globally, have led to soil degradation, poor yields, and numerous other challenges that make it increasingly difficult for farmers to support themselves.

To address this issue, Seed Effect has partnered with Equipping Farmers International (EFI), a Christian nonprofit organization.

Empowering Farmers with Conservation Agriculture

EFI trains churches and development partners on conservation agriculture principles, helping them improve food security, nutrition, and income generation. These principles are simple yet effective and grounded in biblical teachings. They can be implemented by anyone—from refugees growing vegetables on small plots to commercial farmers cultivating large fields for market sales.

One small conservation garden (16 by 39 meters, less than a quarter acre) can feed an entire family for a year using these methods. The model requires less money, less labor, and yields better results than conventional farming, all while being gentler on the land.

Lessons from the 2024 Pilot Program

In 2024, Seed Effect piloted this conservation agriculture approach at two branches as an alternative to our former conventional training approach, aiming to improve soil health, increase yields, and enhance food security for our members. The pilot trained 749 members with 54 demonstration sites established across host and refugee communities.

While the results were mixed, we learned valuable lessons. We faced challenges such as low attendance, a lack of materials, and timing issues with the training. As a result, the adoption rate was lower than expected. However, those who did embrace the new methods reported better yields and more success.

A Glimpse of Success: Johnson’s Story 

We understand that change is hard—especially when your family depends on the food you grow to put food on the table. It will take time, but the positive impact of these methods is clear. In response to the challenges we faced, Seed Effect made several adjustments to improve how the program is implemented and is expanding it to all branches. 

Scaling Up in 2025

In February 2025, staff from all eight Seed Effect branches in northern Uganda came together for a training led by EFI. This year, 40 field officers will build 240 demonstration gardens and train 6,000 Seed Effect members in better farming practices. We believe this will have a profound impact on our members and their communities.

The Principles of Conservation Agriculture

Our training focuses on the four core principles of conservation agriculture:

1. Minimal soil disturbance – no plowing or burning
2. Year-round soil cover – applying mulch for nutrients and water retention
3. Crop rotation – improving soil fertility and reducing pests
4. High management – strict adherence to the principles

The training is very hands-on, with soil demonstrations, building demonstration gardens, compost making, as well as making natural pest management and fertilizers.

A Vision for Africa’s Future

Africa has the potential to produce more than enough food to feed its people. Through good stewardship of the land, we can help restore our relationship with creation. We’re excited to be part of that change.