The Batwa community in Uganda is grappling with severe hunger, a multifaceted crisis
rooted in a complex interplay of historical injustices and contemporary challenges.
The forced displacement from our ancestral lands, a consequence of government
actions, has entrenched chronic poverty among the Twa. This displacement disrupted
our traditional lifestyle as nomadic hunter-gatherers with a mindset that stemmed from
the generosity of the forest in providing for everything, from food to medicine.
Our cultural mindset was one of abundance, with little concern about having enough
to sustain us through the next season. This unique perspective, rooted in the bountiful
offerings of the forest, stands in stark contrast to the scarcity philosophy prevalent in
agricultural communities.
The impact of this cultural difference goes beyond the absence of agricultural
knowledge; it permeated our entire way of life and shaped our approach to resources
and community living.
In the last decade, climate change has further compounded our predicament, impacting
the region and severely undermining food security. Lacking fertile land of our own,
we face the harsh reality of cultivating infertile plots, if any, exacerbating our
vulnerability to food insecurity.
The high levels of unemployment within the community amplify our struggles, limiting
our capacity to secure sustenance. Moreover, pervasive issues such as disease,
malnutrition, and poor access to education intensify all these challenges.
The Batwa, lacking the means to cultivate their own food, are disproportionately
affected by the rising prices of essential commodities, which have surged in the wake
of global political and economic problems. The enduring effects of the COVID-19
pandemic have added another layer of adversity, disrupted livelihoods and aggravating
the pre-existing hardships we face.
Addressing the multifaceted nature of these challenges requires a comprehensive and
empathetic approach that recognizes the historical context, cultural nuances, and the
The training started on the 11th of February and the community members where enlighten about mindset change, family management and leadership development , different throgans were used in the training such as omugeiga which means the rich person, abageiga and this is the rich people, operation morio out which means free things out mutongoi which mwans a leader and atongoi which means leaders.
On 12the February 2025 we had a theory part about kitchen gardens by mr. john from Kenya who enlighten the community members about the kitchen gardens which included
Zai pit, verticle gardens, raised bed, sunken bed, sack garden, cement bags, drum/ bucket/drum,double digging, moist garden and pipe garden.
A zai pit is a shallow pit usually about one to two meters in diameter and two feet deep, dug into soil. The pit is filled with organic matter, such as compost or manure. The zai pit is the great innovative sustainable way to grow vegetables, herbs and other crops.
Its importance is to conserve water, improve soil fertility, increase crop yields.
Vertical garden is the great way to grow plants in small space. It is also known as a leaving wall. This type of garden is perfect for small spaces such as balconies and small backyards. The benefits of vertical gardens are space saving, air purification and increased yields.
Sack garden is also known as the bag garden, is the type of the garden where plants are grown in a sack or bag filled with soil this method is perfect for small spaces such as back yard. Its benefits are space saving, low costs and increased yields. Crops suitable for sack garden are leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes and peppers.
Cement bags these are sturdy, durable and readily available, they are affordable, cement bags are perfect for growing a variety of plants, including leafy greens, herbs and vegetables
Jerry can is a sturdy container that can be repurposed for gardening . these are the importance of using a jerry can;
Portable that is light weight and easy to move around
Space saving, jerry cans can be placed in the small spaces such as backyard
Durable jerry cans are made of plastic, making them durable and long lasting
The procedures of creating a jerry can garden;
Clean and prepare the can, remove any residue and poke holes in the bottom for drainage.
Add soil and plants, fill the cans with soil and plant your desired crops.
Arrange and maintain, place the can in the suitable location and maintain the garden
Regularly
Compost manure making
Then the compost manure making which was the last. This was to composed of top soil , dry matter such as husks,cowdung manure, compost heap, charcoal dust, rock sand, ash, eggshell, bone meal, rabbit urine yeast fermented posho, fermented sugar and molasses mix them together and keep mixing every day for seven days and keep for fourteen days and it will be read for use after twenty one days.
KARENYERE BATWA COMMUNITY
The Seeds of Sovereignty: Nourishing the Community Through Agroecology project is dedicated to empowering and sustaining five Batwa communities – Kashija, Rushaga, Nyabalemura, Nteko and Mukungu – by addressing the persistent hunger and food insecurity they face through the development of four community farms, the creation of community cooperatives and the construction and management of essential infrastructure for seed storage and food security. The project will address hunger while respecting the Batwa’s cultural heritage, integrating traditional ecological knowledge of plants and culturally relevant foods. Seeds of Sovereignty’s focus includes land procurement, infrastructure building and community training in sustainable farming techniques, fostering ecological and economic sustainability, food security, and community health. The long-term sustainability of the project relies on the cooperatives’ capacity to successfully market surplus farm products. Through effective marketing, the cooperatives will generate the revenue needed to sustain the project, covering operational expenses and land lease payments. This ensures continued access to land for farming activities, securing the project’s viability into the future. BIDO will play a pivotal role in facilitating the implementation of this project, leveraging its strong rapport and trust within the communities. With years of dedicated work and commitment to the well-being of the Batwa people in the five settlements, BIDO has earned the respect and confidence of the community members. This existing buy-in and collaboration will be instrumental in ensuring the successful execution of the project. To optimize resource use and adopt a deliberate approach, BIDO will initiate the project in the Kashija settlement as a pilot phase. Six BIDO staff members will undergo agroecology training by ESAFF, a prominent Ugandan agroecology expert group and small farmer forum, renowned for its successful implementation of similar projects. This training will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to replicate the training in the other four communities, ensuring the effective dissemination of the knowledge acquired
Land Purchase
Assess topography, soil quality, irrigation access and proximity to the
community to determine the most suitable lands and purchase at least 1 acre.
– Construction Materials
Procure appropriate sustainable materials for building the centralized seed bank
and recruit workers within the community for seed bank construction.
– Training and Educational Materials
Develop educational materials for community training, emphasizing visual and
practical resources.
– Seeds, Livestock and Farming Tools
Procure diverse seeds suitable for the region’s climate and soil conditions,
livestock (sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs) and high-quality farming tools (hoes,
pangas, axes) from reliable sources.
– Transportation
Arrange transportation for materials, livestock, and tools to the farm sites.
Seed Bank Construction and Management
The Seed Bank will serve as a crucial resource hub to store harvested crops and
seeds, strengthening the community’s resilience against external shocks such as
conflict, weather uncertainties due to climate change, and other challenges such
as COVID-19-like phenomena.
· Select a suitable location and coordinate the construction of the
facility.
Initial steps involve meticulous planning and community engagement to
ensure the facility is strategically located to minimize logistical
challenges for the community. The purpose of this facility will be to
safeguard seeds for future planting seasons. Coordinate building efforts,
prioritizing safety, effectiveness, sustainability, and an appropriate
design.
· Implement efficient seed management practices to ensure diversity
and resilience against climate variations. Cooperative leaders will
undergo training in essential tasks such as cataloging to ensure the
effective maintenance of the seed bank. This training will also
incorporate efficient storage solutions, ensuring we embrace best
practices to maintain the freshness and quality of stored crops and seeds.
Cooperative leaders will also play a crucial role in managing the seed
bank, overseeing tasks such as seed collection, storage, and distribution
within their respective settlements. This decentralized approach ensures
community involvement and ownership, contributing to long-term food
security and sustainability.
batwazindigenous@yahoo.com
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