The Lake Albert Foundation supports women and girls in initiating regenerative agriculture endeavours. Recognising the pivotal role women play in agricultural systems and community well-being, the foundation aims to empower them with the knowledge, resources, and skills necessary for regenerative farming practices. By focusing on women and girls, the foundation seeks to address gender inequalities prevalent in (rural) communities and unlock the transformative potential of inclusive, community-driven initiatives.
Women and girls face gender-specific challenges that also vary per region. In northwest Uganda, one of the issues for women is that they do not own any land themselves; it belongs to their male family members. This makes it difficult to invest time and resources in land, because they never know for how long they can use it. Another challenge for younger girls is that they often drop out of school because there is little perspective on getting jobs in the region. Lake Albert Foundation has teamed up with Kilimo Kisasa Ltd, a local potato farm, to address these challenges. In 2024, we are planning to set up the first Zombo District Women Incubator, where women groups can securely rent land for the long term, and give them the opportunity to learn sustainable farming practices at Kilimo Kisasa, by co-producing with them on their own fields. They will also receive trainings in financial literacy and business management, to ensure they can sustainably build on their own businesses. To show young girls that a career in agriculture is a good way to be independent, the female agronomists of Kilimo Kisasa will also start a field-trip programme for Warr Girls Secondary School, where the women of Kilimo Kisasa serve as role models and explain to girls how to get a sustainable job in the agricultural sector.
The foundation believes that investing in women's capacity to lead in regenerative agriculture not only improves local food security but also promotes economic independence and social equity, creating a ripple effect of positive change within communities surrounding Lake Albert.
