Learning from the Land: Farmers Gain Practical Forestry Skills at Heritage Court Farm

On 31 January 2026, 68 farmers (53 women and 15 men) under the Okere Shea Cooperative Society gathered at Heritage Court Farm in Acwao Village, Opijal, Okwang Sub-County for a practical forestry learning visit organized by Okere City in partnership with Forested.

The visit which brought together two groups of farmers: the inaugural cohort enrolled in March 2025 and a second cohort scheduled for onboarding in early 2026 served as a hands-on platform for farmers participating in the Shea Carbon Insetting Project to deepen their knowledge on tree planting, farm management and environmental conservation.

Why the Visit Mattered

The field visit aimed to:

• Expose farmers to tree species suitable for the Otuke ecological zone

• Strengthen practical knowledge on tree planting and agronomic practices

• Equip farmers with skills to improve yields and quality

• Inspire farmers through real-life demonstrations of profitable tree farming

From Struggle to Success: A Farmer’s Story

Hosted by Richard Okello, Director of Heritage Court Farm, the day blended demonstration, storytelling and peer learning, offering farmers a real-life view of how forestry can improve livelihoods while restoring landscapes.

One of the most inspiring moments of the visit came from the host himself. Mr. Richard Okello. He shared his personal journey; from a business graduate struggling to find meaningful employment to becoming a successful tree farmer.

After facing challenges as a bank loan officer, Okello volunteered at a tree nursery in Lira City, where he discovered his passion for forestry. He later started his own venture with 4,000 seedlings; bought on credit and at one point even lost his bicycle due to failure to repay the loan on time.

After a while, Okello got a deal to supply a government program with trees and was paid UGX 17 million, enabling him to buy 30 plots of land, 17 of which are now occupied by trees.

His message to farmers was simple yet powerful: forestry doesn’t demand wealth or vast land - only planning, patience and dedication.

Practical Forestry Lessons

Farmers received detailed guidance on best practices, including:

• Land Preparation

• Planting

• Field Management

Farmers also learnt about high-value species like white teak and the benefits of intercropping to generate short-term income while trees mature.

Field management was presented as critical to success. Farmers were guided on regular weeding, especially ring weeding when full weeding is not possible and early pruning to promote straight, high-quality timber. Fire control was strongly emphasized, with recommendations to establish 1–2 meter fire lines around farms before the dry season. Fencing was also encouraged to protect young trees from animals and intruders. Farmers were introduced to high-value species such as white teak and advised on intercropping to generate short-term income as trees mature.

Walking through the farm, farmers observed a variety of tree species planted with proper spacing, intercropped with banana and avocado and protected through fire control measures. For many, this was more than a technical tour; it was a practical demonstration that conservation and income generation can go hand in hand.

Farmers also explored how agricultural waste can be put to productive use and how smallholder systems can gradually shift from subsistence to more resilient, market-oriented farming.

The Local Council one chairperson of Acwao Village and the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) of Okwang Sub-County noted that farmers are more likely to adopt good practices when they witness successful examples on the ground. They highlighted key areas such as species selection, spacing and fire management, and encouraged farmers to use the knowledge gained to strengthen conservation efforts in Otuke district.

In order to show committtment, the GISO pledged to plant at least 1,000 trees this year.

Meanwhile, Ojok Okello, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Okere City appreciated the high farmer turnout and reaffirmed Okere City’s commitment to empowering communities through knowledge and collective action. He announced plans to distribute free tree seedlings to committed farmers and to facilitate access to carbon markets so that farmers can receive incentives for planting and protecting trees.

He further explained that trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and cautioned against the cutting of valuable shea trees in Barajobi Sub County and surrounding areas. Ojok also called for community vigilance; he urged farmers to protect these resources and report destructive practices. He also encouraged participants to start small, apply what they learn and grow steadily - assuring them that Okere City will continue follow-up support.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Geoffrey Abwango expressed gratitude to Okere City and Heritage Court Farm for organizing and hosting the visit and sharing knowledge openly. He encouraged fellow farmers to apply what they learnt, noting that such opportunities are rare and only meaningful when translated into action. He emphasized that farmers who implement these practices can inspire others and gradually transform their communities.