Local government officials handing over vegetable seedlings to model farmers
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), an initiative aimed at strengthening livelihoods while promoting sustainable land management, has touched the lives of thousands of people in Uganda.
Through the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project, which is soon coming to a close after two years of implementation, communities in Kamwenge District are celebrating tangible gains in environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, and household income generation.
One of the most visible milestones has been the recognition of outstanding agroforestry farmers and the distribution of improved goats and vegetable seedlings by ECOTRUST.
Through inclusive community engagement, the joint project which set out to reach 87,782 households, restore 17,550 hectares of degraded land, and improve livelihoods in 19 refugee-hosting districts, has borne a lot of fruits.
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), implemented the World Bank-funded IFPA-CD Project under the component titled “Intensive Mixed Use Agroforestry Systems on Household Plots.” The project was designed to promote sustainable land use and climate-smart agriculture by encouraging farmers to integrate trees, crops, and livestock within their farming systems.
Church’s role impactful
Implementation of the initiative was led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which was contracted by the Ministry of Water and Environment as the principal consultant. CRS partnered with the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and sub-contracted ECOTRUST to oversee activities in five refugee-hosting districts namely Kamwenge, Lamwo, Kagadi, Kakumiro, and Kitagwenda.
The project targeted communities in nineteen districts across Northern and Western Uganda with the goal of increasing agroforestry adoption, restoring degraded ecosystems, improving food security, and enhancing household incomes. By promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, the initiative sought to transform farming systems and improve the productivity and resilience of rural households.
14 model farmers recognised
Model farmers who have excelled in the project during a meeting
In Kamwenge District, the project has left a lasting impact. To mark the successful completion of the intervention, ECOTRUST recently recognized 14 outstanding model farmers selected from 14 parishes across the sub-counties of Kamwenge, Nkoma, Bwizi, and Kahunge. The beneficiaries were drawn from Bisozi, Kaberebere, Kidunduma, Mabale, Businge, Ganyenda, Kiziba, Kyabandara, Bwizi, Kyakaitaba, Ntonwa, Kiyagara, Mpanga, and Nyakahama parishes.
These model farmers distinguished themselves through their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture. Throughout the project, each farmer received more than 5,000 tree seedlings of different species, which they successfully planted and nurtured on their farms. Their efforts demonstrated how agroforestry can improve soil fertility, increase agricultural productivity, and contribute to climate resilience.
In recognition of their dedication, each of the 14 farmers was awarded vegetable seedlings and two improved goats. The distribution of the 28 goats formed part of the project’s close-out activities and was intended to strengthen household incomes while encouraging livestock production among participating communities.
Kamwenge District Local Council Five Chairperson Joseph Karungi applauded the farmers for becoming role models within their communities. He said the support provided to the farmers would have a multiplier effect as beneficiaries share offspring from the goats with fellow group members.
Trees boost environmental conservation
“The tree planting initiative has contributed to environmental conservation by protecting water sources, improving rainfall patterns, and supporting sustainable livelihoods, while the distribution of improved goats is expected to boost household incomes through breeding and livestock production. We encourage the beneficiaries to multiply the goats and share the benefits within their groups so that more families can benefit from this valuable initiative,” Karungi said.
Project performance figures further demonstrate the success achieved in Kamwenge. Across all implementation areas, the project sought to promote agroforestry adoption among 87,782 households. A total of 25,314 farmers were reached against a target of 25,807 farmers. Kamwenge emerged as the best-performing district, reaching 7,935 farmers compared to an initial target of 5,165, surpassing expectations by 2,770 farmers.
The district also excelled under the land restoration component. While the target was to restore 1,030 hectares of degraded land, Kamwenge restored an impressive 1,629 hectares, exceeding its target by 599 hectares. The achievement has contributed significantly to watershed protection, increased tree cover, and improved ecosystem services across the district.
Agroforestry-based enterprises supported
Beyond tree planting, the project supported the development of agroforestry-based enterprises aimed at generating sustainable incomes. At Kyakaitaba, a honey collection centre was established complete with a honey processing room, storage facility, meeting gazebo, and sanitation facilities. A modern apiary equipped with 50 beehives, including Kenya Top Bar and Langstroth hives, was also established alongside essential beekeeping equipment such as bee suits, smokers, hive tools, and harvesting gear.
These investments are expected to increase honey production and create additional income opportunities for households participating in the project.
The project also strengthened community engagement and farmer education through innovative approaches. Through the Farmers’ Voice Radio platform, farmers accessed agricultural information in local languages, enabling them to make informed decisions about land management and production practices. The project further applied Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), helping households develop land-use plans and improve decision-making processes. Digital mapping of farms enhanced transparency, accountability, and monitoring.
For many farmers, the project has transformed both livelihoods and farming practices. Isidoro Ndyabwe, a model farmer from Ganyenda-Kinoni Parish, said the training he received changed his understanding of agroforestry.
“Before ECOTRUST came, I had a coffee garden but lacked knowledge about the importance of shade trees. Through the project’s training, I learned how integrating trees into my farm could improve coffee production and protect the environment. ECOTRUST provided me with 837 tree seedlings, including mahogany, grevillea, musizi and avocado trees, and I am proud that all of them are growing well. Today, I have been recognized as one of the best-performing farmers and awarded two goats, which will further support my family’s livelihood. The project has transformed the way I farm,” he said.
Alternative income sources crucial
Kamwenge Assistant Forest Officer Mugabirwe Novenci praised ECOTRUST for equipping farmers with skills, tree seedlings, and livestock that provide alternative income sources while reducing pressure on forests. He noted that communities are increasingly embracing sustainable practices that balance environmental conservation with economic development.
Resident District Commissioner Namara Loy Batuuze also commended the initiative, describing it as a successful implementation of government efforts to promote tree planting and environmental protection. She observed that farmers have embraced the “plant five, cut one” principle championed by President Yoweri Museveni and are already realizing positive outcomes.
Batuuze added that government institutions, including the Chief Administrative Office, the Resident District Commissioner’s Office, and the District Local Government, will continue monitoring and supporting the farmers to ensure that the gains achieved through the IFPA-CD Project are sustained long after the project’s completion.
As the project concludes, the success recorded in Kamwenge stands as a testament to the power of community participation, climate-smart agriculture, and strategic partnerships in restoring degraded landscapes while improving livelihoods for thousands of households.
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