From Barren Land to a Thriving Farm: Patrick’s FMNR Journey

When you step onto Patrick Kyuaka’s farm in Bugiri district, a refreshing breeze greets you, carried through tall trees that sway gently at the entrance of his home. Yet just a few years ago, this same land was bare, eroded, and lifeless.

“My land was on a slope, and rain had washed away all the topsoil. I couldn’t grow anything,” recalls Patrick, a 40-year-old father. Despite owning five acres, he was forced to buy food for his family. He planted sugarcane like many farmers in the Busoga sub-region and cut down trees for charcoal, but the harvest from food crops like bananas was meager.

Everything changed in 2020 when World Vision introduced Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), a simple, low-cost land restoration technique. Patrick was among the first farmers trained. Instead of cutting trees, he began pruning and caring for shrubs and stumps.

“Within a year, I was shocked, the land had turned green again, with new shoots sprouting everywhere,” he says.

Encouraged, Patrick turned the once-barren acre in front of his home into a demonstration garden for other farmers. He intercropped regenerated trees with bananas, coffee, and mangoes, using fallen leaves as mulch to enrich his soil. His yields soared, and for the first time in years, Patrick had enough food for his family and surplus to sell.

Today, his farm has become a hub of learning. Over 300 farmers from Bugiri and neighboring districts have visited to learn from his success. “Every training brings me some income, which has boosted my livelihood,” he says.

Patrick has since partnered with organizations promoting regreening in his community, determined to inspire others.

“Patrick is one of hundreds of farmers reaping the benefits of FMNR while protecting the environment from climate change,” says Barbra Kateu, World Vision’s Programme Manager for Bugiri Cluster.

From bare ground to a flourishing farm, Patrick’s story is proof that with knowledge, resilience, and care for the environment, farmers can restore their land, feed their families, and build hope for the future.

Story by: Mungu Jakisa Brian, Communications Officer.