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 of FORRI set 0 Ut to implement agro forestry research and development
activities in the eastern lowlands and highlands of Uganda.
The 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 agroforesty research; ii)
developing, testing and validating appropriate agroforestry practices; iii) identifying effective
dissemination methodologies; iv) enhancing the capacity of development partners 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 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 has 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.