NILE FARM UGANDA

Nile Farm Uganda is a start-up of Cycling out of Poverty Foundation Uganda (CooP-Uganda), an NGO registered in Uganda. The mission of Nile Farm Uganda is to bring and share permaculture knowledge & technology to the community we are situated in and farming groups and schools we are working with. In order to support them to improve food security and improve diets (e.g. school lunches), reduce poverty by creating agribusinesses, to fight climate change and improve bio-diversity. Nile Farm seeks experienced hands and minds to help us achieve our mission.

The farm is a 4-acre peninsular in the River Nile. The plan is to develop the 4-acre peninsular into 4 zones:

  • Zone 1: Nile Farm House and Camp in a lush tropical food forest with tree nursery;
  • Zone 2: Permaculture Farm producing food (while working with nature instead of against it) for staff, volunteers and visitors;
  • Zone 3: Nile Botanic Forest Garden dedicated to collect, cultivate, preserve and display a wide range of edible plants and food/fruit trees in a forest garden;
  • Zone 4: Wild River Bank and Bay to attract more wild species

    LOCATION

    Buyala Village, located about 20 minutes by car from Jinja on the Eastern bank of the River Nile is where you will find Nile Farm Uganda. Buyala is a quiet village setting which is very safe and accommodating. You’ll find the local community will welcome you with open arms. Here, you will have an incredible opportunity to experience the authentic, rural Uganda. Jinja city is located only 20 minutes drive (1 hour bike ride) away and here there are many restaurants, banks, supermarkets etc. Jinja is scenic historical small city with a laidback atmosphere and host to the Source of the Nile. It is often referred to as the East-African Capital of Adventure since many come here to raft, tube or kayak the white waters of the River Nile or to go horseriding, quadbiking, mountainbiking or bungeejumping.

    VOLUNTEER TASKS

    In this project you’ll enjoy a unique view of the real Uganda, by living amongst the local community and assisting local farmers and schools to create sustainable permaculture practices. Tasks at hand:

    On farm tasks:

    • Farm & landscape design and planning
    • Farm (interim) management
    • Farm & landscape maintenance including yard work, lawn mowing, fencing, terracing and general work
    • Planting, weeding and watering plants, shrubs, and trees in the nursery
    • Planting, taking care of and monitoring of edible plants and food/fruit trees on the farm
    • Propagating plants and trees by gathering seeds, root shoots and root cuttings
    • Grafting and pruning fruit trees on the farm
    • Taking care of livestock (currently chicken, ducks, guineafowls, turkeys, rabbits and goats)
    • Building projects (e.g. tree house, tiny house from written off van or truck, sanitation block, communal building, farm stay (farm house and camp)
    • Creating and cooking family meals
    • Farm stay help

    Off farm tasks:

    • Planting and monitoring ‘trees-that-feed’ to improve food security in the region and benefit the environment.
    • Educating students by developing zero-waste regenerative agriculture and agroforestry school gardens
    • Developing agrobusinesses that provide nutritious food, creates fair jobs and a market for farming families.
    • Helping farmers in zero-waste regenerative farming practices.

    APPLY

    Interested in volunteering for Cycling out of Poverty at Nile Farm? Please contact Luuk Eickmans (luuk@coop-africa.org).