KAGADI – More than 20 model farmers in Kagadi District have received goats in recognition of their outstanding commitment to agroforestry and sustainable land management under the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Modified Approach to Scaling-up (MAS) Project.
The livestock distribution marks one of the final activities of the two-year World Bank-funded initiative being implemented under the Ministry of Water and Environment to promote climate-smart agriculture, restore degraded landscapes, and improve household livelihoods.
The IFPA-CD MAS Project has been implemented across 19 refugee-hosting districts in Northern and Western Uganda, integrating trees, crops and livestock into farming systems to enhance productivity, food security and environmental conservation.
Implementation was led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as the lead consultant, working alongside NIRAS International Consulting Uganda and the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST). ECOTRUST oversaw community-level implementation in five refugee-hosting districts, including Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kitagwenda, Kamwenge and Lamwo.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Kagadi District headquarters, Kagadi District Chairperson Tumusiime Elly commended the farmers for embracing agroforestry and becoming champions of environmental conservation in their communities.
“The agroforestry initiative will improve soil fertility, restore rainfall patterns and support sustainable livelihoods, while the distribution of goats is expected to boost household incomes through breeding and livestock production,” Tumusiime said.
He urged beneficiaries to view the animals as long-term investments. “I encourage farmers to see these goats as capital for the future rather than a quick solution to immediate challenges,” he added.
Under the project, each participating farmer received more than 5,000 tree seedlings of different species, including indigenous varieties such as albizia, Prunus africana, grevillea, terminalia, maesopsis and mahogany.
According to Christopher Byamukama, the IFPA-CD MAS Project Officer in Kagadi District, the selected tree species were carefully chosen to support agroforestry practices and improve survival rates.
“These particular seedlings were supplied to farmers because they align well with agroforestry systems and have demonstrated a higher survival rate in the region. The species were also selected and distributed according to the farmers’ preferences,” Byamukama explained.
The project sought to reach 87,782 households and restore 17,550 hectares of degraded land across the implementation areas. By the close of the intervention, 25,314 farmers had been reached against a target of 25,807 households.
Kagadi District emerged as the best-performing district, successfully reaching its target of 7,180 households and exceeding its land restoration goals by establishing trees on 1,420 hectares of land.
Project officials say the achievements have contributed to increased tree cover, improved watershed protection, enhanced soil fertility and strengthened climate resilience among farming communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Tom Kizza, a model farmer from Isunga Sub-county, said the project had transformed his understanding of sustainable farming.
“Before the project came, I had a coffee garden but lacked knowledge about the importance of shade trees. Through the training, I learned how integrating trees into my farm could improve coffee production while protecting the environment,” Kizza said.
“Through the project, I received over 700 tree seedlings, including mahogany, grevillea, coffee and cocoa, and I am proud that all of them are growing well. I have also gained a lot of knowledge from the Farmers’ Voice radio programme, and I am confident that I will take proper care of these animals to improve my income even further,” he added.
The project also strengthened farmer engagement through the Farmers’ Voice Radio approach, implemented in partnership with Kibale Kagadi Community Radio (KKCR 91.7 FM). The platform enabled farmers to interact directly with experts, discuss challenges and receive agricultural information in local languages.
Kagadi District Forest Officer and project focal person Patrick Abigaba said the initiative had made a significant contribution to both environmental restoration and community livelihoods.
“In Kagadi District, more than 60 percent of forest reserves have been degraded. Through this project, we are restoring degraded areas while improving the livelihoods of rural households by providing alternative sources of income,” Abigaba said.
“As a district, we have also witnessed growing awareness among community members about the importance of protecting nature and conserving forests,” he added.
As the IFPA-CD MAS Project concludes, stakeholders say its legacy will live on through the thousands of farmers who have adopted agroforestry practices, contributing to environmental restoration, food security and sustainable economic growth in Uganda’s rural communities.