Abstract:

The agroforestry program of the Forestry Resources Research Institute (FORRI) is mandated to conduct research in forestry related enterprises. With funding from the European Union, the Agroforestry program o f F ORRI set out to implement a groforestry research and d evelopment activities in the eastern lowlands and highlands of Uganda. The Lowland areas comprise the districts of Igangat Tororo, Kumi, Soroti and Katakwi while the highland areas comprise Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa. overall goal is to improve livelihoods and the natural resource base with the purpose of
improving land productivity, tree products and services. Five main outputs are targeted: i
increasing the capacity of staff and development partners to conduct agroforestry research; ii) developing, testing and validating appropriate agroforestry practices; iii) identifying effective dissemination methodologies; iv) enhancing the capacity of development p artners to interface with clients; and v) putting in place effective joint coordination, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Initial activities focused on massive sensitization campaigns for subcounty leadership in the districts of Iganga, Tororo, Mbale and Kumi. These were conducted between November 2002 and March 2003. The main objectives of the sensitizations were: To create awareness to the sub county leadership of the importance of agroforestry in agricultural development_ To solicit support from the sub county leadership for the integration of agroforestry
_ development activities in their sub county development programs in line with the Plan for the modernization of Agriculture (PMA) and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programs. To disseminate knowledge of Agroforestry to the sub county leadership.This report is a compilation of the proceedings of the sensitization workshops in the covered sub counties in these districts. Sensitizations were conducted by a team of Trainers of Trainees (TOTs) in each of the districts with close guidance by FORRI staff It is hoped that the proceedings will serve as reference material for end users of agroforestry technologies. Agroforestry stands out as the only viable option for sustainable management of the natural resource base as well as improving the livelihoods of rural people. It hai the potential for income generating through use of appropriate technologies. All these are geared towards poverty eradication and are in line with the government's Plan for the Modernization of Agriculture.