By Nickson Fred Obuku | KIRYANDONGO DISTRICT
The adoption of walk-behind tractors has transformed maize production in Kiryandongo District, reversing declining yields and helping farmers adapt to the effects of climate change while boosting household incomes and food security.
For many years, the fertile landscapes of Kiryandongo District in mid-northern Uganda have served as one of the country’s major food baskets, supplying maize to Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the Kiryandongo District Production Office, the district currently produces about 160 million kilogrammes of maize annually alongside other staple crops such as beans. Of this, about 64 million kilogrammes are consumed within Uganda, while 96 million kilogrammes are exported to neighbouring countries, particularly South Sudan.
The district production office attributes the growth in maize production to increased adoption of affordable on-farm mechanisation, especially walk-behind tractors, since 2018 in the leading maize-growing sub-counties of Mutunda, Kiryandongo and Kigumba.
Kiryandongo District Agriculture Officer, Issa Hassan Byenkya, said the success has been driven by farmers changing their planting practices to cope with erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells and occasional flooding caused by climate change.
He explained that maize is grown during two planting seasons—March and August—and timely land preparation is essential for farmers to maximise production.
“With changing weather patterns, farmers have embraced walk-behind tractors because they prepare land much faster than hand hoes and ox-ploughs, allowing them to plant within the right season,” Byenkya said.
Also known as power tillers or two-wheeled tractors, the machines are self-powered and can plough an average of two acres per day. They can also be fitted with different implements for planting, weeding, mowing and transporting harvested crops.
The tractors were introduced to the district by Togole Super Spares Services Ltd, based in Bweyale Town.
The company’s director, Sedrack Moro, said they introduced the machinery after realising that many smallholder farmers were struggling with high labour costs and the effects of climate change.
“Climate change is real and labour is expensive. We needed something affordable that enables farmers to prepare land quickly without damaging the soil,” Moro said.
He added that the lightweight tractors reduce soil compaction while improving water infiltration, making them suitable for climate-smart agriculture.
According to Byenkya, more than 100 smallholder farmer groups across Kiryandongo have adopted the technology.
Among them is Patrick Sebowa of Kaneno-Ber Village in Kitwara Parish, Kiryandongo Sub-county, who says the tractor transformed his farming enterprise.
“It was difficult to expand farming using hand hoes. Since we started using the walk-behind tractor, I have significantly increased my production,” Sebowa said.
Over the past three years, Sebowa expanded his farm from five acres to 15 acres. In 2023, he harvested 70 bags of maize from five acres. The following year, he doubled production to 140 bags from 10 acres before increasing output to 210 bags from 15 acres, equivalent to about 15 tonnes of grain.
“The yields are better because I can now plant early and afford better quality seed and fertilisers,” he said.
Sebowa said farmers in his group hire the tractors at Shs120,000 per acre, with each acre requiring only about two litres of diesel to plough.
Another farmer, James Akosi of Mirima Village, said the technology helped him recover from poor harvests caused by delayed planting.
“My production had declined because of late planting and prolonged dry spells. After adopting the tractors, I now prepare my gardens on time,” Akosi said.
Women farmers have also embraced the machinery because of its ease of operation.
Florence Nabukenya, a single mother from Panyadoli Village near Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, said access to the tractors through a village savings loan has enabled her to increase production beyond household consumption.
“My crop production has improved. I now earn enough to pay school fees and meet other family needs,” she said, adding that she now saves about Shs800,000 annually.
Concy Achayo, a farmer from Bweyale Town Council, said the tractors have also promoted environmental conservation.
“We learnt that the tractors can operate around trees and stumps, meaning farmers no longer need to clear all trees from their gardens,” Achayo said.
She added that the compact machines are suitable for small pieces of land and help avoid encroaching on neighbouring gardens.
To make the machinery more affordable, the Climate Smart Jobs Project is subsidising the cost of walk-behind tractors through commercial agents as part of efforts to transform agribusiness in Northern Uganda, including West Nile, Lango and Acholi sub-regions.
Since 2018, Togole Super Spares Services Ltd has sold 128 walk-behind tractors in Kiryandongo under a cost-sharing arrangement.
Farmers access financing through Stanbic Bank, PostBank and Equity Bank after signing memoranda of understanding with the supplier.
“Once the financing is approved, farmers receive their tractors in the presence of bank officials,” Moro explained.
The company also provides free training on operation and maintenance.
Head of Technicians Yoyo Swaib said farmers are trained on safe operation, lubrication, oil changes and proper maintenance to maximise the lifespan of the machines.
Traders have also welcomed the initiative, saying training has improved post-harvest handling and grain quality.
Despite the progress, district leaders say more farmers should embrace the technology.
Byenkya noted that adoption remains slower than expected and called for greater awareness to help farmers improve productivity and reduce household poverty.
“We are focusing on changing the mindset of farmers to show them that these machines are within their reach despite the changing weather patterns,” he said.
For farmers such as Sebowa, Akosi, Nabukenya and Achayo, the walk-behind tractor has become more than just a machine. It has improved food security, increased household incomes and enabled timely farming despite the growing challenges posed by climate change.
This story was produced with support from InfoNile in partnership with Climate Smart Jobs.
