Category Archives: FarmWise Project

The Earthworm Count: Assessing Soil Health Through Living Indicators

The Earthworm Count: Assessing Soil Health Through Living Indicators

Healthy soil is alive. One of the simplest ways to measure this life is by counting earthworms. Earthworms are natural soil engineers, improving structure, fertility, and water movement. Their presence and abundance provide a direct measure of soil health, making the earthworm count a practical tool for farmers and trainers. Purpose of the Test The earthworm count is designed to evaluate biological activity in the soil. By digging a small section of land and counting the worms present, farmers can quickly determine whether their soil is fertile, resilient, and capable of supporting crops. This test requires no laboratory equipment and relies only on observation. Field Application The test is conducted […]

Identifying and Restoring Soil Health: Farmer’s Wisdom

Identifying and Restoring Soil Health: Farmer’s Wisdom

Soil is the heartbeat of farming. When it thrives, crops flourish; when it fails, farmers struggle. Scientists may rush to laboratories with test tubes and microscopes, but farmers have always had their own ways of reading the land. Over the weekend, I was priviledged to attend a women’s group monthly meeting, Twatumwa Womens group in Kabarole District. We talked about many things but one thing caught my eye … i asked them how they tell if soil is “bad” without any lab tests. Their answers were vivid, practical, and full of wisdom. As one farmer laughed, “The soil itself tells you. You just have to listen.” Cracked and Slippery Soil […]

Understanding Your Soil: How to Conduct a Jar Test

Understanding Your Soil: How to Conduct a Jar Test

Healthy soil is the foundation of productive farming. Yet many farmers struggle to know whether their soil is sandy, clayey, or loamy without expensive laboratory tests. The soil jar test is a simple, low‑cost method that allows farmers to see the proportions of sand, silt, and clay in their soil using nothing more than a clear jar, water, and patience. Preparing for the Test To begin, collect soil from your field. Dig about 10–15 centimeters below the surface to avoid organic matter like roots and leaves. Mix soil from different spots so the sample represents the whole field. Place this soil into a clean, transparent jar, a one‑liter jar works […]

The Library Must Not Burn: Reviving Africa’s Farming Wisdom One Booklet at a Time

The Library Must Not Burn: Reviving Africa’s Farming Wisdom One Booklet at a Time

In a world racing toward industrial agriculture, BARO (Bridge Africa Research Organisation) is taking a bold step in the opposite direction … back to the roots. Through its Farmwise Project Information Booklets, BARO is building a living archive of indigenous and agroecological farming knowledge, one crop and one animal at a time. These booklets aren’t just manuals … they’re guardians of wisdom, designed to guide anyone, from seasoned farmers to curious first-timers, through the entire value chain of specific crops and livestock. Whether you’ve never planted the crop or raised livestock, these booklets will walk you through it … step by step, soil to table. The first volumes, banana farming […]

Seeds of Memory, Seeds of Change: Voices on Indigenous and New Varieties

Seeds of Memory, Seeds of Change: Voices on Indigenous and New Varieties

Yesterday, I attended a mid‑month meeting with a women’s group in Kahangi, Kabarole District, where they had invited me to share insights on group conflict. The session was lively, filled with laughter, thoughtful exchanges, and constructive debate. Just as I was preparing to leave, one of the members posed a question, that was totally off the day’s topic, and it kept me there for more than an extra hour: “What is the difference between the new and improved seeds?” That single inquiry shifted our conversation toward agroecology. Curious to hear their perspectives, I turned the question back to them, and what followed was a spirited discussion. The women explained that […]

Guardians of the Harvest: Katanga’s Papyrus Granary Baskets

Guardians of the Harvest: Katanga’s Papyrus Granary Baskets

In the fertile village of Kyarwagonya in Fort Portal, farmer William Katanga has become something of a local legend. His towering papyrus reed baskets, their lower halves smeared with cow dung, stand proudly in his granary, cradling beans, millet, cassava, and other staples. To the untrained eye, they may appear rustic, even curious. But to Katanga, they are lifelines,  guardians against insects, mold, rats, and the slow decay that robs many farmers of their hard-earned produce. The story begins in the wetlands, where papyrus reeds grow tall and thick. Katanga harvests them with care, drying them under the sun until they become pliable. Then, with practiced hands and a heart […]

“Our food systems are still colonized – until we fund agroecology, Africa wont be free”

“Our food systems are still colonized – until we fund agroecology, Africa wont be free”

Foreign investment in Africa can be beneficial if it supports agroecology, empowers farmers to use their own seeds, improves soil fertility, and builds local markets. However, most current investments are harming the continent. Here’s why: Policy manipulation: External funding influences African policies, undermining local control and self-determination. Corporate control of seeds: Companies push hybrid seeds and agrochemicals, leading to soil degradation, farmer dependency, and loss of seed diversity. These investments prioritize export-oriented farming, exposing farmers to market volatility and environmental degradation. It’s time to prioritize investments that support sustainable, locally-led agriculture and promote dignity and prosperity for African farmers. Click to watch to the Full Video