Abstract:

The overall objective of the study was to enhance adoption of sustainable land
management practices using the innovation platform (IP) approach. To this effect, an IP
was initiated in Bugobero sub-county, Manafa district, to address the soil erosion
challenge while another was initiated in Nakitoma sub-county, Nakasongola district, to
address the degradation of savanna woodlands.
The Nakitoma innovation platform identified the use of ISSB energy saving cook stoves
and establishment of bioenergy woodlots as potential sustainable land management
(SLM) practices to address the challenge of deforestation in the savannah woodlands of
Nakasongola District. The IP established six Melia volkensii bio-energy demonstration to
promote adoption of woodlots for sustainable management of savanna woodlands. The
IP expressed preference for Melia volkensii because it is a drought resistant, termite
resistant and relatively fast growing tree species.
The Nakitoma IP also distributed 200 ISSB cook stoves to nine farmer groups through
an experimental protocol. ISSB stove performance was found to be 28 MJ/capita energy
consumption compared to 56MJ/capita with three stone stove after running a Kitchen
Performance Test (KPT). Whereas daily fuel use was 2.8kg/capita (˜ 4.6 kg/household)
compared to 8.5kg/capita with three stone stove. This indicates that ISSB stove can
reduce fuel wood consumption by 67% if replaced with a three stone stove.