For decades, cocoa cultivation was widely considered impossible in Lira and the wider Lango sub-region. Farmers believed the area’s rainfall patterns, high temperatures, and soil conditions could not support a crop traditionally associated with wetter regions such as Bundibugyo and parts of West Africa.
Today, that perception is rapidly changing, thanks to the determination and innovation of one farmer whose success is inspiring hundreds of others across northern Uganda.
Joseph Ogwal Oyuk, a farmer in Lira City West and Director of Acanga Farm Estates, is spearheading an agricultural transformation by demonstrating that cocoa can thrive in the region when supported by proper irrigation and shading techniques.
Historically, Lango’s agricultural economy has relied heavily on seasonal cash crops such as cotton and oilseeds. While these crops provide relatively quick returns, they often leave farmers trapped in low-income production cycles. Cocoa, on the other hand, is a high-value perennial crop that requires patience, technical knowledge, and long-term investment, taking between 18 months and five years to mature.
“There was a belief that our climate was too dry for cocoa,” Ogwal explains. “But with proper irrigation and shade, the temperatures here are actually suitable.”
At his 10-acre Acanga Farm Estates, Ogwal has dedicated one acre to cocoa production and established a nursery with more than 30,000 seedlings ready for distribution to farmers across the region.
His journey into cocoa farming began in 2003 when he raised more than 45,000 seedlings. However, progress was hampered by operational challenges, particularly the difficulty of accessing water.
“When I started, I used a watering can, then a treadle pump, and later a petrol pump,” he recalls. “We carried water manually from the source. Workers got exhausted, the process was slow, and costs were high. That limited how many seedlings I could produce.”
The breakthrough came with the adoption of solar-powered irrigation technology. The system pumps water directly from the source to the nursery and fields, significantly reducing labour requirements and operational costs.
“With solar irrigation, water is always available. What used to take hours now takes about 15 minutes,” Ogwal says.
The impact has been remarkable. His nursery capacity has doubled from 15,000 to more than 30,000 seedlings, enabling him to meet growing demand from farmers interested in cocoa cultivation.
The solar irrigation system was acquired from Tulima Solar through a partnership with Equity Bank Uganda under a Results-Based Financing programme. The initiative is helping make renewable energy technologies more affordable and accessible to rural farmers, enabling them to increase productivity while reducing operational costs.
A founding member of the Uganda National Farmers’ Association, Ogwal says his decision to focus on cocoa was driven by market opportunities.
“I always look at market value before investing,” he says. “When I saw the demand for cocoa and its rising prices, I decided to focus on seedlings.”
With wet cocoa beans currently fetching about Shs14,000 per kilogram, the crop presents a lucrative alternative for farmers seeking to improve household incomes.
Agricultural experts note that cocoa can perform well in Lira’s moderate to high temperatures provided there is adequate moisture and shade. Solar irrigation, powered by the region’s abundant sunshine, has effectively turned what was once viewed as a climatic disadvantage into a competitive advantage.
Today, Ogwal believes the biggest challenge facing cocoa expansion is no longer the environment but knowledge and skills.
To bridge this gap, he operates a field farm school at Acanga Farm Estates, where farmers receive practical training in sustainable cocoa production. Through the initiative, he has already supplied seedlings to more than 200 farmers across the region.
“People come here to learn how to grow cocoa profitably,” he says. “I show them the right methods so they can succeed.”
His farm has since become a learning centre and demonstration site for agricultural diversification in northern Uganda.
Looking ahead, Ogwal plans to expand both his cocoa plantation and nursery. Building on the success of his current one-acre cocoa garden, he intends to establish an additional acre of cocoa and increase nursery production to 300,000 seedlings.
Equity Bank Uganda says its clean energy financing initiatives are designed to support such transformations by making renewable energy solutions more accessible to farmers and businesses.
“Our vision is a Uganda where every household and business can access clean energy without taking on unmanageable debt,” says Virginia Semakula, Manager and Pillar Head for Energy, Environment and Climate Change at Equity Bank Uganda.
“We want renewable energy financing to become as common and accessible as school fees loans or boda boda financing. Results-Based Financing and Pay-As-You-Go models will play an important role in scaling access. Ultimately, clean energy is not only about climate change; it is about improving livelihoods, reducing household expenses, supporting businesses, improving education outcomes, and creating healthier communities.”
For Ogwal, the vision is clear: to make cocoa a viable, high-value crop across the entire Lango sub-region and help farmers transform a once-dismissed idea into a profitable reality.
As solar technology, farmer training, and strong market demand converge, cocoa farming in Lira is no longer a distant dream. It is becoming a growing movement driven by innovation, resilience, and the determination of farmers willing to challenge long-held assumptions.
