In the sun-drenched hills of Isingiro District, where drought is destroying farmers’ crops year after year, Katto Jude is writing a new chapter. For years, youth from Isingiro district have faced a heartbreaking choice: watch their crops wither under persistent drought or abandon their farmlands and migrate in search of a better life in a world full of uncertainties. But today, if you visit Jude’s farm, you won’t see a man preparing to leave; you will see an entrepreneur who has withstood climate challenges by creating innovative, climate-resilient green innovations.
Jude’s transformation began when he stepped away from the fields to participate in a series of trainings organized by the Young Farmers Champions Network (YOFCHAN), in partnership with Isingiro district local government and FAO. These include: climate-smart agriculture, peer-to-peer learning, market days, green climate innovation exhibitions, business planning and budgeting, record keeeping, branding and marketing, and business mindset change. Jude went beyond simply attending; he immersed himself in the training and took the trainers and fellow peers to his farm to learn and share knowledge on how he can improve his farm. From these engagements, he has realized that for his agribusiness enterprises to thrive, he needs to invest in sustainable agriculture as a long-term solution to climatic challenges that have heavily affected farmers in Isingiro district.
Armed with this new clarity on the next direction, Jude applied Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) solutions that have turned his farm into a local model farm for sustainable green climate innovation. Jude’s first major move was the installation of an irrigation system on his 20-acre banana plantation, 2-acre passion fruit garden, 2-acre coffee plantation and 1-acre of cassava, which are now receiving consistent hydration, ensuring that his harvest cycles remain steady even when his area is heavily hit with unending drought.
“I have realized that for my agribusiness enterprises to thrive, I need to invest in sustainable agriculture as a long-term solution to the climatic challenges that have heavily affected our community.” – Kato James
To address the challenge of expensive fertilizers and soil degradation, Jude began growing Azolla, a nitrogen-rich aquatic fern. By integrating Azolla production into his farming system, he created a “green” fertilizer factory right on his land. This practice hasn’t just improved the health of his soil; it has drastically lowered his overhead costs and boosted the productivity of his commercial banana, passionfruit, and coffee plantation.
Jude has stood out as a “Youth Climate Champion.” he has created a farmer field school to transfer the knowledge he has acquired to fellow youth in his community. If you want to see a model climate resilient youth champion, you must visit Katto Jude. Walking through his irrigated banana, coffee, and passion fruit plantations and seeing the vibrant Azolla ponds, you aren’t just looking at a farm; you are looking at a victory.
Jude has turned a crisis into a commercial powerhouse as he quotes “I have realized that for my agribusiness enterprises to thrive, I need to invest in sustainable agriculture as a long-term solution to the climatic challenges that have heavily affected our community. By applying climate-smart solutions like irrigation and Azolla production, I have proved that we don’t have to migrate to find prosperity, we can grow it right where we stand.”
Young Farmers Champions Network 