Summaries of HUNGER PROJECTS in Africa
Working with LWR Partners

Uganda—Wakiso Agro-Forestry Project

Partners: LWR and Voluntary Action for Development (VAD)

In Wakiso County, Uganda 90 percent of the estimated half a million population depend on agriculture for food and income. Women contribute to 75 percent of the agricultural labor meeting largely the subsistence needs of their households. Agricultural yields are alarmingly low, attributed to poor agricultural practices –like overcultivation of small land holdings for generation-arising from lack of knowledge and skills in soil fertility management and sustainable farming. Population pressure on land has also led to rapid, widespread deforestation resulting in soil erosion and land degradation. Government extension services cannot meet the needs of farmers at the grassroot level in training and dissemination of new appropriate farming technologies.

GOAL: To equip farmers with skills in sustainable farming and livestock production and seek to increase agricultural yields and revenues. VAD will also promote proper use and management of natural resources-like agro-forestry for soil and water conservation and the use of energy-saving cooking stoves to reduce encroachment on trees. LWR’s accompaniment strategy will focus on developing resource mobilization skills among the staff of VAD and creating networking opportunities with other agricultural institutions in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: LWR’s partner, VAD will directly help an estimated 4,700 people with over 2,500 women and girls in 7 districts. VAD will:

Improve food security and livelihoods and environmental conservation

• At least 450 farmers’ households will employ their skills and knowledge in sustainable agriculture and livestock production-like pest management, post harvest management, the use of hybrid seeds for diversification, cross breeding of bulls and he goats with improved breeds-to increase farm yields by 50% allowing them to meet their own needs, improve their diet, but also boost family income to at least $30/month from the current $20/month.

• Improved marketing of agricultural produce through the establishment of cooperatives in the 7 districts and related activities to strengthen collective marketing and savings efforts.

• Agricultural extension services will provide reliable and effective services through the training of thirty (30) community agriculture trainers (CATS) and the development of model farms for further demonstration. Learning and networking among farmers will further be improved.

• At least 20% of the households using energy saving cooking stoves further reducing encroachment on forests and the use of fuel wood, and at least 40% of the individual households will have established tree nurseries as an alternative income generating activity.

Approved Project Support: $107,052 through 2005.

Hunger Projects : Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, Togo and Tanzania.