Agroforestry Practices and Economic Empowerment

Promoting agroforestry for sustainable land use and economic empowerment
e_sponsors
2013 SEED Africa Award; European Union
Sector
Sustainable Agriculture
e_city
Gulu
e_country
Uganda

Agro-forestry for sustainable land use and economic empowerment targets farmers through community groups, allowing them to plant native’s trees, fruit tree species and various crops that are sold through a community grocery market established in town. The innovation also has a 25-acres model farm to train local farmers in agro-forestry techniques, land use planning and other modern practices of farming which can be applied on their own land. The goal of this initiative is to sustainably improve smallholder agricultural practices through improved productivity and market development, resulting in marketable surpluses that raise farm incomes in the region, and increase communities’ food security for the wider northern Uganda areas as well as safer practices of natural resource management. The initiative developed this innovation because, majority of farm households in our communities lack the means or incentive to invest in their farms, skills in commercialized production technologies and links to output markets to sell surplus production.

The surplus from the farmers’ aggregate production including the products from the initiative’s farm is sold through that grocery store in town. This grocery also acts as a linkage between these farmers and the different buyers within and outside the district, as well as serving the factory demands.

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
The enterprise train local farmers in agroforestry techniques which can be applied on their own land and participants with access to local and national markets for timber, fuelwood, fruit and fodder.
  • Providing poor people with training in tree management techniques, agroforestry practices and enterprise management.
  • Improving food supply in the region by involving more community members in agriculture.
  • Creating new job opportunities for local women and young people.
  • Planting mixed native and naturalised tree species to reduce deforestation in protected areas.
  • Increasing the population of endangered species while contributing to biodiversity conservation.
  • Promoting sustainable land use and agroforestry through environmental education.
  • Providing participants with access to local and national markets for timber, fuel wood, fruit and fodder.
  • Building local and regional capacity and developing generic management systems in rural areas.
  • Contributing to local business development and promoting entrepreneurship among locals.

Partners

Agroforestry for sustainable land use and economic empowerment is a land use change initiative which targets smallholder farmers through community groups, allowing them to plant mostly native trees and various commercial viable crops such as nuts, beans, maize and rice that are subsequently sold through local grocery markets. While facilitating access to markets for its members, the enterprise also contributes to forest protection and conservation. 

Tree Talk Uganda trains local farmers in forest management including agroforestry practices.

World Vision Uganda is the main buyer of tree seedlings for its beneficiaries.

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) offers technical assistance in raising seedlings, planting and thinning.

Gulu University Faculty of Agriculture and Environment supplies the enterprise with equipment and workforce – many students do internships at the enterprise.