Intergrated Natural Resource Management Project

A NARRATIVE REPORT

INTERGRATED NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

GOMBE SUBCOUNTY WAKISO DISTRICT

Farmers weeding their demonstration garden hosted by Ms ......

PERIOD: JUNE – OCTOBER 2014

Submitted to: World Wide Fund (WWF)

Submission date: November 2014

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1:0 INTRONDUCTION...... 3

2.0 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND OUTPUTS...... 3

2.1 OVERALL OBJECTIVE:...... 3

2.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:...... 3

2.3 MAJOR OUTPUTS...... 4

3.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES JUNE – OCTOBER 2014...... 4

3.1 PROGRESS ON THE PLANNED ACTIVITIES...... 4

3.2 PROJECT INDUCTION WORKSHOP...... 4

3.3 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 5

3.4 TRAINING OF FARMERS AND TEACHERS...... 6

3.5 ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRIBUSINESS GARDENS IN COMMUNITIES...... 7

3.6 WOODLOT AND ORCHARD ESTABLISHMENT IN COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS...... 8

3.7 ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGIES...... 9

4.0 CHALLENGES...... 9

5.0 ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER...... 10

6.0 CONCLUSION...... 10

APPENDIX 1: PHOTO GALLERY...... 11

2 1:0 INTRONDUCTION In Uganda, natural resources directly/ indirectly support human well being though their contributions are not fully recognized in the national accounting system. They are an important integral part of agricultural productivity, climate regulation, soil and water conservation and nutrient recycling. Though a policy on tree planting was promulgated in the 1920s, it coincided with an increase in national demand for forest products, thus weakening the inherent low productivity of the natural forests and woodlands. Overtime, it has been realised that land and forest degradation are the principal factors causing poor agriculture productivity leading to the chronic rural poverty experienced. Eco-Agric Uganda through this project aims at empowering the farming community and schools of Gombe Sub-County Wakiso district to adapt to the complex land and forest degradation and environmental problems through integrating Natural Resources Management into agricultural activities while managing resources sustainably.

Farmers are equipped through trainings with improved sustainable natural resource management and agricultural production skills to improve agriculture production sustainably, agro-forestry and commercial woodlots establishment and management for improved household livelihood. They are also empowered with energy saving technologies championing fuel saving stove technology to maintain the standing tree population to combat climate change effects.

The project is expected to shape peoples’ minds, change behaviour and practices and introduce sustainable agriculture technologies that promote sustainable land management approaches and explore the market potential to produce through agribusiness enterprises. The outcome of this is improved food security, poverty reduction and improved environmental protection.

2.0 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND OUTPUTS

2.1 OVERALL OBJECTIVE: To empower communities with skills for improved natural resources management and increased agricultural productivity for better quality of life.

2.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: 1. To support communities and schools in establishing ecological agribusiness production gardens, energy saving technologies, commercial woodlots managing them with social and economic impact.

3 2. To promote ecologically sound methods of sustainable natural resources utilization and disseminate good practices through stakeholder fora. 3. To provide the desired advocacy for natural resources management in the project area

2.3 MAJOR OUTPUTS The major output of the project linked to the specific objectives includes;

 Farmers institutional development  Building the capacity of farmers and teachers on natural resources management and agribusiness production through trainings and field day tour.  Reduced firewood consumption through increased use of energy saving technologies  Improved income and investments in eco-friendly enterprises.  Increased awareness about integrated natural resource management.  Sustainable green agricultural practices disseminated and promoted.

3.0 PLANNED ACTIVITIES JUNE – OCTOBER 2014 Project induction meeting at Gombe sub county level /project area

 Induction of the project to the S/C and initiation of stakeholders forum

 Institutional development

 Training of farmers and teachers

 Establishment of agribusiness gardens in communities

 Establishment of woodlot and orchards in communities and schools respectively

4 3.1 PROGRESS ON THE PLANNED ACTIVITIES

3.2 PROJECT INDUCTION WORKSHOP Project activities commenced with an induction workshop held at Gombe sub-county headquarters. This was intended to introduce the project into the sub-county communicating its objectives and interventions. Different stakeholders including two district officials (District production and marketing Officers, District Natural Resource Officer), WWF/SENRECAM project officer, sub-county technical and political leaders, farmers forum leaders, development partners working in Gombe Sub-County, farmer leaders, environment advocates and some farmers A total of 50 stakeholders (30 Males, 20 Females) attended.

A presentation about the project was made by the Eco-Agric Ug Executive Director highlighting the project objectives, targeted beneficiaries and the activities to be implemented. Expectations by the project from the different stakeholders were also mentioned. Majorly, they were all requested to canvass support for the project for its smooth running and attainment of its objectives. The WWF/SENRECAM project officer gave the background of SENRECAM project and its major objective of strengthening local governments to sustainably manage natural resources and biodiversity conservation through CBOs and NGOs. The District Natural Resource Officer appreciated WWF/UNDP for funding the project and urged community members to embrace the project. She also informed stakeholders that due to limited funds, eco-Agric Ug is implementing the project in only Gombe sub-county.

Eco-Agric Uganda Project Coordinator (Josephine Nakakande) talking to the stakeholders during the project induction workshop

3.3 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT With support from the local leaders, Wakiso district farmers association and subcounty NAADS officials, targeted

5 beneficiary farmers and schools were mobilised. Existing farmer groups were identified and new ones formed for effective participation in the project and easy mobilisation. Farmer groups were later trained on; self help group formation, group dynamics, leadership and group cohesion. They were also sensitised about the Integrated Natural Resources project, its objectives, targets and activities to be implemented. 10 groups were later formed, group leaders identified and workplan developed. 5 schools were also identified.

Farmers during the institution development training

Table 1: Farmer groups formed with their respective membership and the selected schools

Group/institution Female Males Total 1 Lwesubo Balibaseka Development group 16 2 18 2 Tukolebukozi farmers group 17 2 19 3 Agaliawamu farmers group 9 11 20 4 Yesu Yagaba farmers group 19 2 21 5 Katonda Tayiwa farmers group 18 1 19 6 Kezaala farmers group 19 2 21 7 Twegatte farmers group 12 9 21 8 Muyiya famers group 16 7 23 9 Bakusekamagenda farmer group 11 6 17 10 Mirembe farmers group 15 8 23 Schools Girls Boys Total 1 St peter’s Buwambo 40 15 55 2 Bibbo primary school 25 12 37 3 Buwambo primary school 23 10 33 4 Mwererwe SSS 40 17 57 5 Buwambo SSS 37 5 42

3.4 TRAINING OF FARMERS AND TEACHERS To improve the management of natural resources and performance of agriculture enterprises, farmer’s and teacher’s capacity was enhanced through trainings. Knowledge and skills on environment conservation, sustainable natural resources management and agricultural production was impacted to farmers and teachers through two trainings. They were trained on; sustainable natural resource management, climate change, woodlot establishment, soil and water conservation, energy saving technologies, crop husbandry, climate smart agriculture and conservation agriculture practices. For farmers and teachers trainings, a total of 319 farmers (122 male, 197 female), and 9 teachers (7 Male, 2 female) were trained. In schools, teachers were encouraged to start Young Farmers Clubs to champion integrated natural resource management project activities. 6 Five clubs with varying membership as shown in table 1 above have been established and are operational.

Practical training session

3.5 ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRIBUSINESS GARDENS IN COMMUNITIES To attain household improved yields and income 20 agri-business production demonstration gardens; 10 beans and maize, 5 potato and 5 cassava gardens with varying sizes have been established. However, due to limited farm land, beans and maize demonstration gardens couldn’t take up all the seeds provided, so group members with ready gardens shared on the provided seeds and setup gardens basing on what they learnt like; planting one seed per hole, planting lines. This also allowed them to immediately put into practice what they were trained on. Groups were supported with good certified planting beans and maize seeds, and orange fleshed sweet potato vines and mosaic resistant cassava cuttings. Demonstration gardens and other beneficiary farmers’ garden were all properly planted on time. Intercropping was championed as a method for better management of the soil, pests and diseases and for spreading risks. Eco agric Uganda also supported four schools (Bibbo primary school, Buwambo primary school, BuwamboSSS and Mwerere SSS) with maize and bean seeds after showing interest and demonstrating ability to grow and manage them. All gardens are flourishing and good yield expected.

Good agronomic practices and timely were emphasised for better performance of crops. Soil and water conservation techniques were also championed.

A technology of agro-forestry was at the fore front of establishing the demonstration gardens and farmers were able to intercrop their gardens with some of the tree seedlings they were provided.

Agaliawamu farmers’ group demonstration garden with crops properly planted in lines

7 Farmers were also given orange fleshed sweet potato vines and mosaic resistant cassava cuttings.

Mrs ...... weeding her sweet potato garden

3.6 WOODLOT AND ORCHARD ESTABLISHMENT IN COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS In an effort to conserve the environment, fight climate change impact, improve on income stream assets, communities and schools after the capacity building training sessions about woodlot establishment and management, they were supplied with woodlot tree seedlings (Eucalyptus camendrasis, Terminalia superba, Markhamia lutea, Measopsis eminii) for woodlots establishment. Agro-forestry species like Grevellia robasta were also supplied for integration in crop gardens as climate smart agriculture. A total of 10,520 trees seedlings were supplied, that is, 3420 Eucalyptus, 500 Terminalia,800 Markhamia, 2000 Measopsis,3800 Grevellia.

Due limited land available, some farmers established woodlots, others planted along their land boundary, while others intercropped trees with crops in their gardens. Mr Kabugo of Sanga village who had a young eucalyptus woodlot but with alot of gaps, he gap filled his woodlot using the eucalyptus tree seedlings he received. Schools also did boundary planting.

Mr Kabugo,s daughter picking eucalyptus seedlings to plant

Schools were also supplied with fruit tree seedlings as a mechanism to enhance nutrition in children at school. They were encouraged to setup orchards though most of them preferred spreading them around the school and in the compound. Due to a great demand for the fruit seedlings by the community and for the smooth implementation of the project activities, communities were also provided with fruit tree seedlings. A mix of 1010 grafted fruit trees seedlings; 500 mangoes, 500 oranges and 10 passion fruits were given out.

8 Protected orange seedlings planted in Buwambo SS the compound

The tree seedlings and fruits have established well. Within the three months of establishment, a survival percentage of 80% for the woodlot trees and 97% . for the fruits has been registered. We are hopeful that few more deaths will be registered in the next December – February dry season.

3.7 ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGIES To reduce on the number of trees cut for fuel wood in an effort to fight climate and conserve the environment, farmers were trained on the use and construction of flue saving stove constructed using locally acquired materials. From the beneficiary farmers, 6 active and interested people referred to as Community Based Facilitators were identified and further trained as cook stove experts to guide in constructing cooking fuel saving stoves and using the stoves among the people in Gombe sub-county. Names and parishes for the Community Based Facilitators are as per the table below; Kato James, Mpaga Gordon, Nakasi Robina, Kibirige Immaculate, Mubiru George William, Nalusiba Josephine.

Women constructing an energy saving stove with support from one of the community based facilitators

Construction of the fuel saving stoves has started in four groups (Lwesubo development group, Yesuyagaba, Agaliawamu and Twegatte farmers group) and eleven stoves have so far been constructed. Energy saving stoves are being constructed at household level using locally available materials such as grass and ant-hill soil. All the constructed saving stoves are in good condition and in one month they will be ready for use. Saving stoves will greatly help in reducing fire wood consumption and maintaining existing trees for long before cut.

4.0 CHALLENGES Dry spell of one and half weeks was experienced immediately after farmers had planted their tree seedlings. This lead to death of a big number of the planted seedlings.

9 Construction of energy saving stove require alot of energy in mud preparation and real stove construction. Community based facilitators find it difficult as most the concerned are women in the home offering little support.

Some homesteads don’t have proper kitchens where cook stoves can be constructed making them miss out on the technology.

5.0 ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER  Monitoring the established woodlots, orchards, gardens and garden harvests  Accomplishing energy saving technologies dissemination and construction of energy saving stoves  Holding stakeholder’s forum meeting  Conduction a field day tour  Continuous monitoring by the BOD, district and sub county Officials

6.0 CONCLUSION Wakiso district, Gombe sub-county, schools and farmers are very excited about the project and very appreciative to Eco-Agric Uganda and WWF for enabling the project to be implemented. They are all hopeful that by the end of the project, Gombe Sub-County will have interventions that will enable them sustainably manage natural recourses. Farmers are also excited with the energy fuel saving stoves that are being constructed and each household is promising to have a stove. They are also waiting for the harvest to compare the practice of planting one seed for beans and two seeds for maize compared to the traditional way of planting many seeds per hole.

10 APPENDIX 1: PHOTO GALLERY

Cassava Cuttings before distribution

Farmers receiving potato vines

Pupils of Bibbo PS learning how to plant fruits Farmers practically learning planting Vegetable nursery for St Peter PS