Natural Resource Management

The proper management of natural resources is crucial for the sustainability of all CSRL's projects. Without fertile soils and reliable sources of clean water and energy, no program can remain effective over time. Therefore, CSRL integrates soil and water conservation, as well as other environmental practices, into agricultural training so that farmers' may enjoy long term success.

A nursery has been established to provide seedlings to farmers so as to help counteract the rapid deforestation that is currently taking place. Because of the many resources that families take from the forests, it is important for farmers to be educated about the significance of deforestation, and enable them to access similar resources in the future. Due do the skepticism of many of the local farmers, further outreach and education is needed in order to foster appreciation among farmers and their families for the many gifts that nature provides them.

CSRL Program Activities 2007: Monitoring and Evaluation

Objectives:
  1. Improve soil and water conservation practices to maintain the natural resource base
  2. Training and outreach activities (components: nursery, tree management, soil conservation, wood saving stoves, organic pesticides)
  3. Integrate agroforestry into school garden projects

Approach:
  1. Integration of soil and water conservation and soil fertility regeneration methods into crop production training and outreach
  2. Integrate multiple-use perennial crops and multipurpose trees (fruit, other)
  3. Community-based training and outreach
  4. Promote use of alternative energy sources (e.g., biogas, solar)
  5. Promote energy conservation practices

Resources:
  • Primary — VEDCO's Assistant Program Officer, Natural Resource Management
  • Secondary — Faculty members from ISU and Makerere University

Activities:
  • 2005 — Agroforestry program Assistant from Central Region offering part time services in Kamuli; establishment of tree nursery in Kamuli town
  • 2006 — Development of nursery; initial dissemination of improved planting stock
  • 2007 — Initiation of community-based nurseries, training and outreach

Outcomes:
  • 2005 — Group members trained in construction of energy saving fuel wood stoves
  • 2006 — 3,000+ tree seedlings established at the nursery
  • 2007 — 8,000+ tree seedlings established at the nursery, more than 3,500 tree seedlings distributed to community members

Lessons Learned:
  1. Integrating increased NRM and agroforestry into agricultural training is important
  2. Need to establish community nurseries to enable farmers to easily access seedlings

Challenges & Questions:
  1. Community members do not yet appreciate importance of planting trees despite rapid & Questions deforestation rates (Kamuli is a main supplier of charcoal to Kampala)
  2. A sound farm system level analysis of various costs (in-kind, opportunity, cash) of natural resource management and possibilities relative to farm size and activity portfolio would provide an improved basis for providing realistic advice

Proper management of natural resources is crucial to the success of all CSRL's goals. If you are interested in supporting the Center's work, please contact us.