Project Summary
Tooro Environment Stewardship for Sustainable Development (TESSD) aims to increase the incomes of rural populations in Uganda through commercial tree planting by engaging medium and large-scale private sector actors alongside local communities.
The “ Tooro Trees for Tomorrow – Growing Incomes, Growing Resilience” project holds the promise of sustainable afforestation practices that cannot only combat climate change but also stimulate economic growth. By harnessing the expertise and resources of private sector partners and empowering local communities, the project envisions a robust commercial forestry sector that can deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Forests are beautiful and functional, offering a wide range of benefits. They help mitigate floods, provide habitat for wildlife, store large amounts of carbon, and purify our atmosphere. We must protect the world’s forests to maintain our climate and ensure that future generations enjoy the same social, cultural, and economic benefits.
Implementing Agency: Tooro Environment Stewardship for Sustainable Development (TESSD)
Project Goal: Increase incomes of rural populations in Tooro Region, Uganda, while mitigating climate change through large-scale commercial tree planting and community forestry initiatives.
Project Justification:
- Income Generation: Uganda’s rural population relies heavily on subsistence agriculture with limited income diversification. Commercial tree planting offers a high-value crop option with long-term returns.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Uganda is experiencing rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. Large-scale afforestation can significantly increase carbon sequestration and improve overall ecosystem health.
- Sustainable Development: The project is deeply committed to promoting sustainable land management practices. We believe that by doing so, we cannot only economically empower local communities but also ensure the long-term health and productivity of our land.
Project Activities:
- Feasibility and Land Identification: Conduct studies to identify suitable land for large-scale commercial tree plantations, considering soil quality, water availability, and ecological factors. Engage with local communities in a transparent and participatory manner to secure land through lease agreements or partnerships, ensuring respect for land rights and local customs.
- Species Selection and Nursery Establishment: Conduct thorough research to identify fast-growing, high-value tree species that are both suitable for the Tooro region’s climate and market demands, and that promote biodiversity. Establish centralized nurseries to produce high-quality seedlings for commercial plantations and community woodlots, ensuring a diverse and resilient forest ecosystem.
- Private Sector Engagement: Develop partnerships with medium and large-scale private sector actors (timber companies, processing facilities) based on clear and fair criteria. These partnerships will ensure the offtake of commercially grown trees and the negotiation of contracts that guarantee a steady market for local tree growers, promoting a transparent and equitable business environment.
- Community Forestry and Training: The heart of our project lies in empowering local communities. We will provide comprehensive training on sustainable forestry practices, including seedling care, plantation management, and harvesting techniques. Additionally, we will establish community woodlots to provide fuelwood, timber, and other products for local use and income generation, ensuring that the communities are at the forefront of this initiative.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system that includes regular site visits, data collection, and stakeholder consultations. This system will track project progress, tree growth, carbon sequestration, and socio-economic impacts on local communities. Regular evaluations will be conducted to ensure project effectiveness and make adjustments as needed, ensuring transparency and accountability in project operations.
Facts and Figures:
- Uganda loses an estimated 1.2% of its forest cover annually (https://chimpreports.com/ugandas-forest-cover-has-increased-from-9-to-12-wwf/)
- The global demand for sustainably sourced timber is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades (https://www.statista.com/markets/421/topic/496/forestry/)
- Studies have shown that commercial tree planting programs can increase rural household incomes by 20-50% (https://www.worldagroforestry.org/)
Expected Outcomes:
- Increased incomes for rural communities in the Tooro region through commercial tree planting.
- Establish large-scale commercial tree plantations that provide a sustainable source of timber.
- Increased forest cover in the Tooro region, mitigating climate change impacts.
- Improved land management practices and community livelihoods.
Sustainability:
- The project will promote using fast-growing, native tree species to ensure ecological sustainability.
- Partnerships with the private sector will create a long-term market for commercially grown trees.
- Community forestry initiatives will empower local communities to manage forest resources sustainably.
This project concept provides a framework for TESSD to develop a comprehensive proposal to increase rural incomes and combat climate change through commercial tree planting and community forestry in the Tooro region. By involving local communities, the private sector, and government stakeholders, the project aligns with national and international policies on sustainable development and climate change mitigation, and can achieve significant environmental and socio-economic benefits for Uganda.
Objectives
- Economic Empowerment: Encourage rural communities to participate in commercial tree planting and related activities to enhance their incomes.
- Climate Mitigation: The project will play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration through large-scale afforestation. By planting a diverse range of tree species, the project will increase the capacity of the Tooro region to absorb and store carbon, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
- Sustainable Forestry: The project will promote sustainable practices among private sector actors and local communities. This includes the use of fast-growing, native tree species to ensure ecological sustainability, the implementation of responsible harvesting techniques, and the establishment of community woodlots for local use. These measures will ensure the long-term health and productivity of the forest ecosystem.
Key Components
- Community Engagement and Training
- Budget: $200,000
- Conduct community outreach programs to raise awareness about the benefits of commercial tree planting.
- Provide training on sustainable forestry practices, nursery management, and agroforestry.
- Establish local cooperatives to facilitate collective action and ensure equitable benefit distribution.
- Private Sector Partnership
- Budget: $100,000
- Engage medium and large-scale private sector actors to invest in commercial tree planting.
- Facilitate public-private partnerships (PPPs) to leverage private sector expertise and resources.
- Offer incentives for private sector participation, such as tax breaks or subsidies.
- Afforestation Activities
- Budget: $1,500,000
- Establish tree nurseries and provide farmers and private sector partners with high-quality seedlings.
- Implement large-scale tree planting on degraded lands and marginal agricultural lands.
- Utilize fast-growing and high-value tree species suitable for timber and non-timber forest products.
- Market Development and Value Chain Enhancement
- Budget: $200,000
- Develop market linkages for timber and non-timber forest products.
- Support the establishment of processing facilities to add value to forest products.
- Provide training on business development, marketing, and financial management.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research
- Budget: $100,000
- Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to track progress and impact.
- Research best practices in commercial forestry and climate resilience.
- Publish findings and disseminate knowledge to stakeholders.
- Administrative Costs and Contingency
- Budget: $100,000
- Cover administrative expenses, including salaries, office supplies, and operational costs.
- Allocate contingency funds for unforeseen expenses.
Total Budget: $2,200,000
Implementation Timeline
- Year 1: Community engagement, training programs, and partnership establishment.
- Year 2: Initiation of afforestation activities and market development.
- Year 3-5: Scaling up afforestation, value chain enhancement, and continuous M&E.
Expected Outcomes
- Economic Benefits: Increased incomes for rural communities through sustainable forestry-related activities.
- Environmental Impact: Enhanced carbon sequestration and improved biodiversity through large-scale tree planting.
- Capacity Building: Strengthened local capacity in sustainable forestry practices and business development.
- Sustainable Development: Establishment of a sustainable commercial forestry sector that supports long-term economic and environmental goals.
Sustainability Strategy
- Local Ownership: Foster community ownership of forestry initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Continuous Training: Provide ongoing training and support to adapt to changing market and environmental conditions.
- Policy Advocacy: Advocate for supportive policies and regulations to sustain commercial forestry and climate mitigation efforts.
Tooro Trees for Tomorrow – Growing Incomes, Growing Resilience will be a transformative project that uplifts the livelihoods of rural populations and significantly contributes to Uganda’s climate change mitigation efforts. Through strategic partnerships and sustainable practices, TESSD aims to create a model for commercial afforestation that can be replicated across the region.