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Agriculture and Climate Change
In Uganda, agriculture continues to be the most important sector; it employs approximately 72% of the population and contributed about 32% to the GDP. However productivity is limited by reliance on natural weather conditions and still wide spread use of traditional methods and equipment
It contributes over 70% of Uganda’s export earnings and provides the bulk of raw materials for most of the industries that are pre-dominantly agro-based; output primarily comes from about 3million small holder substance farmers, who own an average farmland area of 2.5ha.
In summary agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, fishers and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food that enabled people to live in cities.
BACKGROUND.
Since the colonial days, agriculture has been the main stay of Uganda’s economy accounting for the largest percentage of the GDP and employing and transforming hundreds of thousands of Ugandans who are predominantly rural. By one measure at least, agriculture ranks as one of the extra ordinary success stones in Uganda since independence. Community transformation has been conceived as were able to increasing external pressure on communities. In the past, rural communities were able to react by increasing specialization to take advantage of comparatives and economies of scale.
However, globalization and competition from other areas in the some country or from other parts of the world makes this strategy less and less successful. Of the world population, 75% of them live in rural areas and for the most part they depend on agriculture, forestry and related activities for survival. The actors in rural areas need to apply new strategies based on mobilization and the interconnection of different fields as cited in agriculture, environment, tourism etc.
Roughly one quarter of the earth’s terrestrial surface is now under cultivation with more land converted to crop production and animal rearing.
This project therefore examines the correction between agriculture and community development like role of agriculture in community transformation, poverty reduction and overall development.
THE GREEN FOUNDATION UGANDA has been involved inthe implementation of community development programmes since its establishment in 2014 when it initiated a pro poor focused sustainable Agriculture programme among other thermatic ares in Najjembe division. A total of over 600 rural poor small scale farming households with about 750 people have been supported. The households now enjoy multple benefits of embracing improved social services, ecological fareming like improved security backed by healthy foods, improved incomes and overall improvements in the general standards of living.
since 2014, THE NEW GREEN FOUNDATION UGANDA as an organization adopted an integrated community development approach that emphasizes holistic development. under this approach the promotion and mobilization for sustainable households income activities program and god community health is one integral part of rural livelihood improvement. The other parts improving access to environment conservation, education, youth empowerment, games and sports, music dance and drama etc to rural communities, SACCO and imroving access to basic health services through organizing community health camps. The above pillars of the integrated development Approaches being promoted by TNGFU guarantes all round development that re-inforces each other. This approach has led to the realization of rural transformation in many rural communities of mainly buikwe district where it has been successfully implemented with local funds and support from co-founde, chairperson local council three, local governments etc. The plan for TNGFU is to expand this approach to many rural poor communities in buikwe district and beyond so that they can overcome food security, hunger, poverty, health, education,MDD, games and sports and be able to attain good living standards.
since 2021 to date TNGFU as an organization expanded her development programme activities in the whole district of buikwe using local resources. mobilization for sustainable household income activities program and good community health with education will complete the entire cycle of the planned integrated community development programme for buikwe district. The mobilization for sustainable household income activities program and good community health will however be implemented as aprogramme in its own right administratively(for purpose of reporting and accountability to the relevant authorities).
The proposed target area of buikwe district is pre-dominantly rural and poor.The initiation of TNGFU as an organization at the development scene of buikwe was a timely undertaking. The communities of buikwe district had for long requested TNGFU as an organization to expand her services to the whole district area but this has never been possible because of the lack of resources and the fear to over-streach the capacity of the organization. TNGFU as an organization has got some local funds with qualified, experienced and dedicated staff that can run the programme of any magnitude.
TNGFU, local government and local community people have been unique partners that supported the staff capacity development effort of TNGFU as an organization. Through the capacity building of the staff and board members have had opportunities to learn from their peers within uganda. It is through this learning and sharing that TNGFU as an organization has become a respected development player in SACCO, agriculture,education, MDD,human rights protection including GBV and domestic violence prevention among others in buikwe district.
EXPERIENCE AND CAPACITY OF LOCAL IMPEMENTING PARTNER.
TNGFU as an organization is a reputable pro-poor community development organization. TNGFU as an organization has wide experience inimpementing integrated community development programmes in the region where it has successfully executed a number of programmes in youth empowerment, human rights protection including GBV and domestic violence prevention, health, agriculture, education, environment conservation MDD, games and sports etc. TNGFU as an organization has been very active in the integrated community development sphere since it reigned when it started implementing its programme in the division. since that time the integrated community development programmes grom the parish to the division has been locally funded.
The work of TNFGU as an organization currently benefits a few rural poor people in the division. This work mainly in youth empowerment, farming, SACCO, education, environment, etc is being funded by local resources and few samaritans got from TNGFU organization projects. TNGFU as an organization supports clearly reflects the confidence we have in the work in areas of community development.
There is a team of almost 35 staff at TNGFU who are well trained, experienced and dedicated to promoting community development programmes. our field staff have been the engine behind the gate of success registered by the organization over the years.
In najjembe division, TNGFU as an organization enjoys a very cordial working relationship with the local community leaders, political and technical leadership within the district, local government and sub-county in her area of operation.
The wide use and belief in participatory development approacheh makes TNGFU as an organization a key partner of the community in its development efforts. TNGFU too, considers the community as a very essential partner in the rural transformation efforts. This synergy will be carried into the proposed projects and to all other projects of TNGFU as an organization always been the case.
Globally, TNGFU as an organization enjoys a very warm relationship with a number of local supporters. Through the various programmes of TNGFU as an organization briefly mentioned in this section, the beneficiary population has been able to reap many significant benefits. There has been improved food security and incomes among the lower segments of our communities, there has been reduction in incindences of common diseases, environmental regeneration,improved GBV, domestic violence prevention, promotion of talented pupil, and above all the hitherto poor now live better and dignified lives. Empowerment levels mostly among youth, women, girls, orphans, teen mother drastically improved and their places in society is finally being re-established. There are many other achievements in may forms and this is what will continue to drive TNGFU as an organization to remain comitted to the rural development programmes and approaches as outlined.
PROBLEM STATEMENT AND JUSTIFICATION.
Agriculture in buikwe district and Uganda at large is characterized by women and men working in small scale rain fed production averaging 2 to 5 hectares per household. Erratic bimodal rainfall partners in recent year’s further challenge cropping results, farmers have very limited access to extension, training, inputs (quality seeds, fertilizers) improved agronomic practices, new technologies and credit. Producers are not well linked with profitable markets especially to emerging sectors of domestic and regional markets. Private traders operates on a small scale with limited investment capacity, availability and use of processed products at present remain very modest as result of low production levels, hunger is wide spread and the vast majority of the rural population lives in absolute poverty.
The proposed mobilization for sustainable household income activities program and good community health among other thermatic areas will be implemented in an area where the farming practices among the pre-dominantly peasantry comunity are very poor.This has continued to cause problems of food insecurity, poverty,poor health and environmental degradation. The major cause of this precarious situation is limited modern and appropriate farming knowledge and inadquate environmental awareness and corcern. The priblem of environmental degradation is further exacerbated by increased pressure on trees for firewood and charcoal, timber, poles in both urban and rural areas because of the rapid increase in population.
The government extension services machinary in buikwe district especially around mabira forest is very weak and highly un-reliable and this leaves the farmers and rural communities with no alternative but rather to continue with the traditional farming methods which are quite inefficient and destructive to the environment. This siruation was very evident during the recent field assessment carried out in the area as farmers confessed that they take long time to see an extension agent in the past years.
The high poverty(low income) situation makes it diffucult to make househlds to access appropriate farm inputs and paid services from private providers who are very few and expensive. For about few years now TNGFU as an organization has been interviewing on the above problems with outstanding results.This intrevation was however limited to only Najjembe division till date.
As an organization, we’re specialized in both crop growing as well animal rearing together with environment conservation.
However, despite of the above problems, there are more problems we face.
CENTRAL PROBLEMS LIMITING PRODUCTION OF QUALITY HARVESTS AND HIGH YIELDS.
- Declining soil fertility and inefficient cropping systems unable to utilize available resources effectively and efficiently.
- Limited accessibility and affordability of quality seeds, non-seed inputs and other yields improving technologies.
- Effects of drought and other weather related factors compromise productivity and quality
- Diseases (root rot, anthracnose, angular leaf sport, common bacterial blight, viruses, rust, ascochyta blight) and insect pests (aphids, thrips, weevils, stem maggots etc
CENTRAL PROBLEMS RELATING TO NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND PROCESSING OF CROPS.
Pre and post harvest losses for crops are very high through out the value chain, mostly due to poor harvest, post harvest practices and poor on-farm storage facilities. Poor pre-and-post-harvest handling also results in the majority of crops on the market being characterized by mixed varieties and poor quality with high levels of foreign matter, rotten and infestation.
Lack of value added crop products having reduced preparation times makes crop preparation laborious with high fuel requirements. Consumers also tire of monotonous flavor. As a result an increasing number of people are abandoning or reducing their crop consumption despite its documented high nutrient content and health benefits.
The nutrition value of crops is negatively affected by anti-nutrients for example phytates, trypsim inhibitor, lectins, polyhenols, saponins, oligosaccharides and hemoglutinins. However treatments like de-hulling, soaking, milling, fermentation and germination or malting and cooking enhance the disability and nutritional value.
PLANNED PROJECT ACTIVITIES.
• To improve harvested crop yields and quality
• Improve yield and quality through evaluation of better production and management practices.
• Support community-based seed production by farmers groups/association
• Strengthen learning and sharing of innovation practices.
• Training of farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques and methods
• Delivery of regular extension and advisory services to the farmers
• promotion of low-cost households level technology
• Regular follow-up/programme monitoring.
IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC
ACTIVITES ARE PLANNED TO BE IMPLEMENTED
Community mobilization and sensitization on sustainable agriculture within the district
conducting farmer groups in sustainable agriculture techniques, tree planting(Agro-forestry and
afforestation) and wood energy conservation.
Training of community resource persons in Extension and leadership skills to serve as village
Extension Agents.
procurement of Agro-forestry and vegetable seeds for establishing community nursery beds.
procurement of supporting farmers with selected breeds of food crops which are resistant to
diseases for further breeding and multiplication.
procurement and distribution of improved breeds of cattles, pigs, among others for breeding
and multiplication by the farmers.
introduction of appropriate technology that is farmer friendly and cost-efficient in microirrigation and solar drying.
provision of regular extension services ie visiting every trained farm family at least once a
month.
conducting study tours for farmers so as enable them share experience with other successful
sustainable agriculture farmers in other programmes and to established Ecological agriculture
NB
In order to effectively and efficiently implement the above activities, the programme will be
run by a number of experienced staff in the fields. The programme will equip the new staff with
motorcycles for field officers.
The training in sustainable agriculture which is the major critical activity of this programme will
introduce farmers to low-cost organic farming approaches that will facilitate improved farm
production and incomes. Farmers will be introduced to soil feeding techniques, soil and
environmental conservation measures, tillage practice, agro-forestry, Ecological pest control
and crop disease management, crop harvesting and modern rearing of animals at household
level. The training wil also tackles the management of key local crops like bananas, coffee,
vegetables and fruits. This will equally be done on the side of animals like pigs, cattles and
goats.
On soil feeding, farmers will be introduced to compost making and application and also the
preparation of liquid manures and plant Teas. The planting of multi-purpose tress which feed
the soil with plant nutreints like Nitrogen among other things will also be emphasized. Farm
planning will be another area farmers will be trained in.
The training will also cover soil and environment conservation measures like mulching, use of
contour bunds, countouring, technology and many others. Tillage practices like double digging
will be introduced and encouraged throughout the trainings. The trainings will be dominated by
practicals.
STRATEGIES OF TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURE IN THE REGION.
• FARMER FIELD SCHOOL; investments in agricultural research by and for rural farmers can
increase income and food security. These schools are small groups of farmers who conduct
agricultural research like TNGFU to improve their productivity.
• CAPITAL INVESTMENT is a must if agriculture was to play a major role in rural transformation
especially hunger and poverty reduction. Getting agriculture moving in developing cities is
therefore an important step towards sustainable development
• GENETIC STRATEGIES. Among the areas for the transformation of agriculture include research in
plant genetics (such as germplasm) to understand plant resistance to diseases and elements.
The germplasm of each crop species possess significant genetic variation for resistance genes.
• LAND REFORM
• COORPERATIVES
• STATE INVOLVEMENT ETC
EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE MOBILIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSEHOLD INCOME ACTIVITIES
PROGRAM AND GOOD COMMUNITY HEALTH.
The implementation of proposed programme along the rural poor farming communities of buikwe district is expected to benefit the farmers through the following ways:
• Improved household incomes
• Increased household food security
• Diversified agriculture production
• Improved farming knowledge
• Improved access to extension services
• Introduction of high yielding crop varieties and animal breeds
• Increased environmental awareness and concern
• Increased awareness and use of rural appropriate technology in micro-irrigation and drying
• Prosperous and healthy communities.
indirectly many people and institution will also benefits. The introduction of high yeilding
crops and animals breeds will be locally multiplied to benefit many more households. The
government will also benefit from improved taxable income of the rural farmers which will
greatly improve her capability to deliver social services and improvement of infrastructure
like roads.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION
The overall responsibility for ensuring efficient and effective implementation of this project
rests with the Executive Director of TNGFU as head and chief Accounting Officer of the
organization. There will however be a programme co-ordinator who will be responsible for
the day-to-day management and co-ordination of the programme. There will be field
extension officers who will be responsible for delivery of field extension services, advisory
services and regular follow-ups. The programme co-ordinator will, besides the
administration function, performs the duties of the field extension workers. The programme
co-ordinator will be answerable to the Executive Director who has the principal mandate of
reporting to the donor and the board.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES.
The programme activities will be regularly monitored on a monthly basis. The logical
framework willbe used as a basis for monitoring. The indicators used in the logical
framework will be the very ones used in the monthly preparation of the workplans and will
have to be reported on in the monthly reports. The programme management will also make
regular visits to the communities to physically check on progress. The beneficiaries will also
actively participate in programme monitoring. Besides quartely participatory monitoring
seesions which will take place in the areas of operation, the programme will institute a
community follow-up monitoring system more especially in the distribution of inputs.
Along the field reports which will be prepared by the Extension staff, there will be also
acknowledgement of receipts of inputs duly signed by the community leaders, this will make
the staff more accountable to the community which will have wider benefits in terms of
impact and programme sustainability.
The programme will hold internal evaluations annually. The approach for evaluation will be
participatory and beneficiary oriented.
STRATEGY TO ASSURE PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
There are a number of measures which are envisaged to ensure the sustainability of this
programme and they are:
The programme will as much as possible use participatory approaches. The high
involvement of beneficiaries in programme activities will ensure “ownership” by the
comunity which will guarantee continuity.
The programme will promote low-cost approaches and use of local materials. As the
communities will continue realizing immense benefits from these kinds of application they
will be motivated to continue applying them thus assuring continuity
A lot of capacity building activities more especially in terms of training have been planed.
The acquistion of “knowledge” and techniques that work will change the way of doing things
in the communities and most likely for the better. As this will become the “usual way” of
doing things the impact of the programme will be sustained
The programme also plans to use community agents to train as link farmers. This will help in
building local human capital and expertise which will be able to continue programme
activities beyond its funding life
There is a lot of “multiple effoct” that will arise in the programme. The programme inputs to
the community like improved pigs, goats and banana suckers will operate as a revolving loan
in kind. For every piglets recieved a farmer will pay back one from the off springs and for
every sucker recieved a farmer will pay back one sucker for distribution to other community
members hence it will assure programme continuity.
Farmer groups that will be formed will be encouraged to engage in saving and credit
activities. The mobilization of own saving will allow group members to sustainably access
good capital for expanding their farming enterprises.
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