Abstract:

Agroforestry research and development project operates under the agroforestry program
of the Forestry Resources Research Institute (FORRI) of the National Agricultural
Research Organization (NARO). The goal of the project is to contribute to improved
livelihoods and the natural resource base. The project aims at improving land
productivity, tree products and services for small scale farmers. This is through
identification of tree species suitable for incorporation on farm; development of
appropriate management techniques for trees in agroforestry systems; dissemination of
agroforestry technologies in the various agro-ecological zones of the country, and
assessing adoption rates and impacts of the agroforestry technologies and practices.
The current phase of EU finding to the agroforestry programme started in 2002 as a four
year bilaterally funded project with the Government of Uganda through the National
Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) implemented by the Forestry Resources
Research Institute (FORRI). The project activities focused on four agro-ecological zones
namely:- Eastern lowlands (Tororo, Iganga and Kumi districts), Eastern highlands (Mbale
and Sironko districts), Southern rangelands (Ntungamo and Mbarara districts).
This report presents, under five result areas, the project's activities and outputs achieved
in the period between April 2004 and March 2005 as well as the 3 months extension
period of April to June 2005. In the first result, the project has built capacity of
researchers to conduct agroforestry research through short term training and MSc
training. Result two of the project has addressed research on evaluating appropriate
agroforestry practices focusing on tree species for wood and energy production, improved
fruit trees, soil fertility management, soil and water conservation, improved fodder
technologies and indigenous methods of termite control. Under result three, the project
has identified, developed and applied a range of dissemination approaches and materials.
Activities on result four focused on building the capacity of service providers, NGO's,
local councils, CBO's and other stakeholders to interface with clients in agroforestry activities. The program has sought to put in place an effective joint coordination,
monitoring and evaluation mechanism in agroforestry research and development
programs.
Based on the project's experiences so far and institutional and policy transformations
taking place (NARS), key areas for firrther work have been identified. These include
building capacity of staff to develop competitive proposals, strengthening the linkages
between stakeholders and ensuring sustainability and scaling up of agroforestry activities
on ground. Evidently, through the capacity of the project team, collaborations built and
infrastructure in place, the project is making significant contribution to agroforestry
research and development in Uganda.