Farmers in Buikwe, Mukono, Kalangala and Mpigi districts as well as the outlying Buvuma islands are engaging in agroforestry to boost their agricultural production as well as combating climate change.
The initiative, which is a collaboration between World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and National Forestry Authority (NFA), will have many farmers simultaneously conserve forests and plant particular trees species for fruits, to aid bee keeping and promote eco-tourism.
Beneficiaries
Already, 418 farmers in Bujumba, Mugoye and Kyamuswa sub counties in Kalangala District have been engaged while the other areas in the central region including forest reserves have been adopted for the project.
Agroforestry is concept for resource-saving agricultural production that strives to achieve acceptable profits together with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment.
So far, this has been carried out in forests on Bukasa and Bugala islands while those on Buvuma islands are in the demonstration stage. Mpigi forest reserves, including Mpanga Forest, have already set off with fruit and crop production.
Denis Mubiru, one of the project beneficiaries in Kalangala District, says the NFA together with WWF introduced the residents to such projects; with the aim of involving the public in conserving nature while benefiting from the annex reserves in different localities.
“Towa forest reserve was given to us and we practice bee farming. Our major role is to conserve the forest as we earn from it. It is an opportunity to utilise skills that are given by a service provider who also provides land,” he explains.
In Mpigi District, Mpanga Forest has been mapped as an eco-tourism site where different tree species are grown for medicine and tourism.
Saul Nkalubo, a caretaker of the Mpanga Forest project, indicates that the forest brings back returns of not less than Shs28m to 17 youth who manage the project.
Curb deforestation threat
Among other activities, 217 youth in Buvuma have started growing herb tree species on forests reserves on the island.
According to Leo Twinomujuni, the NFA regional manager, this Buvuma islands project is for both income generation and conservation of the forests. This is in light of deforestation threats related to the planting of oil palm.
“We want society to utilise our available resources through agreements with us to engage in both conservation and livelihood improvement. Our plans are already implemented in areas like Najjembe and Nangoye in Buikwe and Mukono districts as others also await inception.” Twinomuhangi indicates.
Both Nangoye and Najjembe are located in Mabira Forest. The residents in the area implement plans on ecotourism, beekeeping and the planting of trees with medicinal value.
He adds that other activities carried out include forest patrolling, conservation education, community eco-tourism, and energy saving through creating awareness on stoves that use less firewood.
Harriet Nakaggwa, a bee keeper in Najjembe, says the project has enabled her earn an average of Shs600,000 every month from the seven beehives she owns in the forest.
“What I only need today is more education on having the best queen bees in my hives. This would be more productive so as to enhance my earnings,” she said.
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