In the Kigezi region of Uganda, women farmers face significant barriers that hinder their ability to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, cultivate resilient livelihoods, and protect biodiversity. Despite being the backbone of the agricultural economy, women in Kigezi struggle with limited access to resources, decision-making power, and agricultural training that could help them adapt to climate change and improve productivity. The region is characterized by rugged terrain, unpredictable weather patterns, and limited access to modern farming techniques. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the lack of nature-positive solutions that incorporate both environmental sustainability and gender equity.
The critical barriers include inadequate access to climate-resilient agricultural practices, limited knowledge of biodiversity conservation, and systemic gender inequalities that exclude women from leadership and decision-making roles in agriculture. As a result, women farmers continue to rely on outdated and unsustainable farming methods, which degrade soil quality, reduce biodiversity, and hinder their ability to build long-term economic resilience.
Evidence substantiating this problem includes the high levels of food insecurity in the region, exacerbated by erratic weather patterns and declining soil fertility. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), rural women in Kigezi are disproportionately affected by poverty, with limited access to agricultural inputs, credit, and training. Without targeted interventions, the region’s agricultural system will remain vulnerable, with women farmers unable to overcome these barriers to sustainable, nature-positive agriculture.
