The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) has distributed improved goats and vegetable seedlings to 14 model farmers in Kamwenge District in recognition of their efforts in promoting agroforestry and sustainable land management under a World Bank-funded climate resilience project.
The beneficiaries, drawn from 14 parishes across the sub-counties of Kamwenge, Nkoma, Bwizi and Kahunge, were recognised for their commitment to tree planting and environmental conservation under the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project.
The two-year initiative, implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment with funding from the World Bank, aims to promote climate-smart agriculture, restore degraded landscapes and improve household livelihoods in refugee-hosting communities across Uganda.
Each of the model farmers received two improved goats and vegetable seedlings during a close-out event held recently in Kamwenge District, one of the best-performing districts under the project.
Kamwenge District Chairperson Joseph Karungi praised the farmers for becoming examples within their communities and urged beneficiaries to multiply the livestock and share the benefits with others.
“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,” Karungi said.
“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,” he added.
The IFPA-CD project was implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in partnership with the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and ECOTRUST. ECOTRUST was responsible for implementation in five refugee settlement districts, including Kamwenge, Lamwo, Kagadi, Kakumiro and Kitagwenda.
According to project figures, Kamwenge exceeded its target for farmer participation, reaching 7,935 farmers against a target of 5,165. The district also restored 1,629 hectares of degraded land, surpassing its target of 1,030 hectares.
Across all project areas, 25,314 farmers were reached against a target of 25,807, while efforts focused on integrating trees, crops and livestock to improve food security, land productivity and climate resilience.
The project also supported alternative income-generating activities, including the establishment of a honey collection and processing centre at Kyakaitaba. The facility includes a honey processing room, storage space, meeting facilities and a modern apiary equipped with 50 beehives and beekeeping tools.
One of the beneficiaries, Isidoro Ndyabwe of Ganyenda-Kinoni Parish, said the project had transformed his farming practices by teaching him the value of integrating trees into coffee production.
“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,” Ndyabwe said.
“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.”
Kamwenge Assistant Forest Officer Mugabirwe Novenci said the project had equipped farmers with knowledge and resources to improve incomes while reducing pressure on forests.
Resident District Commissioner Namara Loy Batuuze commended the initiative, saying it aligned with government efforts to promote tree planting and environmental conservation.
She said local authorities would continue monitoring and supporting beneficiaries to ensure the project’s gains are sustained after implementation ends.
The IFPA-CD project targeted 87,782 households in 19 refugee-hosting districts, with a goal of restoring 17,550 hectares of degraded land and increasing the adoption of agroforestry practices among communities vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change.
