Gerald Tenywa

A Ugandan environmental scientist who pioneered sustainable agriculture practices, helping African farmers adapt to climate change through innovative crop management techniques.

Gerald Tenywa, born in 1972 in Uganda, became a leading voice in sustainable agriculture during the late 1990s. As a lecturer at Makerere University, he developed the Agroecology Innovation Hub, which trained thousands of farmers in climate-smart practices. His breakthrough came in 2003 with the introduction of the "Climate-Smart Villages" concept, which integrated drought-resistant crop varieties, water harvesting systems, and soil conservation techniques. By 2010, these methods had been adopted by over 50,000 households across East Africa, reducing crop failures by 40% during severe drought periods.

Tenywa's research focused on indigenous knowledge systems, blending traditional farming wisdom with modern science. He co-authored the East African Climate Adaptation Manual, a widely used resource translated into seven local languages. His work with the CGIAR Climate initiative led to the development of mobile apps like AgroClimate Uganda, which provides real-time weather advisories to farmers. In 2015, he received the UN Equator Prize for his contributions to biodiversity conservation through agroforestry.

Today, Tenywa's methods are taught in universities across Africa and have inspired similar programs in West Africa's Sahel region. His TEDx talk "Growing Food, Not Hunger" has over 2 million views. The Journal of Sustainable Agriculture dedicated a special issue to his work in 2020, highlighting his role in creating a new generation of climate-resilient farmers.