Multifaceted reforestation and environmental protection project
Our communities in the Kasese district of Uganda are involved in a large tree planting project. Since 2020, we have seen our communities hit by droughts, land and mudslides and crop failures. This leads to severe food shortages, hunger and malnutrition for most families. We know how the whole world is facing the challenges of global warming.
We have therefore decided to work towards a sustainable environmental protection program in our various communities through the following activities:
- supplying tree seedlings to farmers in large quantity.
- regeneration of our indigenous tree species, especially those threatened with extinction.
- training farmers to understand the importance and value of agricultural production.
- monitoring, control and evaluation of farmers to ensure that the trees planted are thriving and not being cut down for any reason.
These trees are planted along property lines, in bare and depleted areas, among other crops and plants, along riverbanks, on hills, on church and school grounds, and along roads.
To prevent farmers from cutting down the planted trees, we plant income-generating trees such as macadamias, which earn families a lot of money when the nuts are harvested and sold at a very good price.
The macadamia nuts will also be used to feed the families. The fruit trees will also provide food and income, thus counteracting problems such as malnutrition and poverty. The trees planted will help reduce the challenges of global warming and climate change and help families overcome food shortages, poor crop yields and poverty. We want to help minimize droughts, land and mudslides and river flooding.
From 2020 to September 2023, a total of 5634 trees were planted by various families in six communities: Kihenge, Kinyaminagha, Kasemire, St. Francis Primary School, Karujumba Catholic Parish.
27 different tree species were planted: Zanthoxylum gillett, African mahogany, Prunus africana, Warbugia ugandensis, African yellow tree (Padokapus letifolius), Allibizia cariaria, Markhamia, Cordia ugandensis, Spathodia campanulata, Jackfruit, Fighting paintbrush, Guava fruit, Myrica kandtiana, Erythrina abyssinica, Vernonia amygdalina, Mangifera indica, , Soursop fruit, Indian mahogany, Lemon fruit, Macadamia nut tree, Bamboo, Tetrania riparia, Besdevia tree, Fokus natalansis, Aggrivelia.
Our results so far:
The number of farmers interested in planting trees and agroforestry has increased and continues to increase. This is demonstrated by the fact that more and more communities are participating in tree planting and at the same time the demand from farmers for seedlings has increased.
The trees, which reached a considerable height in the first season, have begun to improve soil moisture by retaining more water and reducing the rate of water runoff, thus monitoring soil erosion.
The fruits harvested from the first season’s trees enrich the family’s diet.
The flowering trees attract many bees. The active farmers already have beehives and harvest honey for their own use and to increase their income.
The bamboo planted along the riverbanks prevents floods from washing away the neighboring gardens.
The trees planted along the property boundaries have solved the problem of land disputes in the communities.
Families have become accustomed to working together for a common goal, fostering team spirit, which is a positive attitude towards community building.
Each tree planted has led to an improvement in the environment and soil fertility, which translates into an increase in crop yields.
With the increasing number of farmers and communities asking for tree seedlings, more support is needed to provide what is needed.
The technically qualified project manager, Thomas Kenja, is asking PBF for support to procure 1,450 tree seedlings to be planted in the rainy season from December 2023 to January 2024. These are endangered species such as Warbugia ugandensis, Zanthoxylum gillett, Prunus africana, Macadamia nut tree.
Each seedling costs 2,500 Ugandan shillings and the total cost for all 1,450 seedlings is Ugx 3,625,000 shillings. PBF will cover these costs (1000 CHF) in December 2023.
Each family that participates in the tree planting campaign also receives at least one beehive to harvest honey for their own use and to generate income.
Thomas Kenja, IPOA Community, Kasese Uganda