Reforestation Grant Application

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Reforestation Grant Proposal

The proposal should include a short narrative description of the proposed project, including:
1.

Summary of the organization's work to date and major accomplishments: (no more than 750 words)

Previous experience relevant to the proposed project:- Through its Livelihood improvement and
environmental conservation programs, Eco-Agric Uganda has been promoting sustainable
farming and natural resource conservation focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change
effects, while improving biodiversity ecosystem services. Since 2007, Eco-Agric Uganda has
been promoting sustainable farming and tree planting projects where over four million trees,
have been successfully planted. Between 2007 and 2009, Eco-Agric Uganda with support from
JICA through the Uganda Hand and Pump Mechanics established wood lots among 200 farmers
in Kyabigambire and Kitoba sub counties of Hoima district. In 2007/2008, with funding from
Goal Uganda, it enhanced nutrition at schools through planting 500 fruit trees at schools. With
funding from WWF/UNDP in 2009/2010 it promoted Integrated Natural Resource Management
and Climate Change Mitigation in Wakiso District benefiting 300 people where 1600 trees were
planted. With funding from the Quaker services Australia (2014-2016) Vibrant village 2016-207
and the Murr munning foundation 2016-2017) it has promoted conservation farming where
twenty thousand trees have been planted through agro-forestry.
Environmental projects: With funding from the Trellis Fund (USAID) in
2010, there was promotion of Organic tomato growing in Wakiso district that
benefited 500 women while in 2011 the Trellis Fund (USAID) supported
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato growing in Hoima district that benefited over
800 farmers. In 2010, an Environmental Improvement and water shades
conservation project was implemented in Hoima district where over 20000
tree seedlings were established and planted. This was done in partnership
with Uganda Hand and water Pump Mechanics Federation (UHAMEF) under
the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Agricultural projects: With funds from aBi Trust, it has completed a project
on enhancing beans production post harvest handling and value addition
where 4000 farmers have benefited. Many other agricultural projects that
involved promotion of coffee, cassava/ground nuts , rice, bananas and
cassava growing were implemented with 500 farmers (741 Women and 759
Men) benefiting.

2.

Overview of the need for the reforestation project including a description of the site, conservation objectives,
and other related project goals: (no more than 750 words)

The problem that the project seeks to address is the concern that emerging small scale
agriculture enterprises, such as sunflower, tobacco, cotton (among others) have a big
impact on the forest and tree resource in the proposed project area. In order to grow
these crops small units of land that aggregate into large acreage are cleared of
vegetation to pave way for crop production. For tobacco, more woody biomass is
cleared to for tobacco curing. Whereas these are desirable enterprises, communities are
starting to realize the need to grow trees in order to offset the damage created by these
enterprises.
The Project purpose is to maintain and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in
the agricultural landscapes and in the wider ecosystems. The Scope includes
landscapes, farm lands, and conservation of catchments with a view to reduce
unsustainable use of landscapes, forests and trees and to enhance both the biodiversity
and the ecosystem services which they provide.
The Mission is to bring together the knowledge, skills and resources of the partners, to
catalyze change in understanding and behaviour amongst the beneficiary farmers and
schools and the entire landscape.

The proposed activities herein will aim to contribute to the following

objectives.

Objective 1: To develop and demonstrate conservation and

enhancement of ecosystem services at farm level and the wider
landscape level.

Eco-Agric Uganda proposes to undertake activities geared towards

conservation farming, restoration of ecosystems biodiversity enhancement
activities. This will require consultations and participation of stakeholders
and beneficiaries. This will be done through meetings and workshops (with
district and sub-county level leadership) to communicate project priorities
and solicit buy-in.

Eco-Agric Uganda will work with and assist farmers, schools and local
landholders to develop sustainable local systems of based on agro-forestry
approaches to promote responsible forest management and biodiversity
conservation within the agricultural system.
Detailed activities under this objective include the following:
Activity 1.1: Beneficiary enrollment meetings
For each of the selected sub-counties in the 4 project districts, there will be
an exercise to enroll project beneficiaries. The District Natural Resources
Offices of the 4 district will take lead. The Community Development Officers
and National Agricultural Advisory Services Coordinator for the selected subcounty will make sure the right farmers are selected. The District Education
Office will select the schools.
Activity 1.2: Develop and signing of MoU with beneficiaries
A team will be constituted to draft the MoU. This team will include
representation of the district local governments and community members.
Both the schools and community members will have different MoUs. The
MoUs are intended to build confidence among the beneficiaries that
whatever they do, is virtually their investment for the future.
Activity 1.3: Procure seedlings for the first season.
Because the project will require immediate results, there will be procurement
of seedlings for the early adopters as the nursery is set up for additional
seedlings for the main planting. The main species to be promoted are broadleaved species drawn from the following list that Eco-Agric Uganda is familiar
with.
For the initial planting, approximately 15,000 seedlings selected from the
above species list will be procured availed to beneficiary schools and
communities depending on availability. These will be procured from nurseries
that meet standards and use good quality seed from recommended sources.
Activity 1.4: Procure tree seed and equipment/tools to establish
nursery
First, a suitable nursery site will be identified preferably in Lira. Then a
nursery will be established in Lira to produce seedlings to meet the interest
of the beneficiaries. In preparation for establishment the nursery tree seed
will be procured. The quantities to procure will depend on availability and
fruiting regime of selected species. Approximately 1000 kilograms will be
procured. To establish the nurseries we will need to construct nursery beds
and this requires equipment. We will need hoes, pangas, wheelbarrows,

spades and herbicides.When the nursery site is identified, the beds are
constructed, a process for potting and sawing will commence.
Activity 1.5: Identify and recruit 2 nursery operators
In order to operationalize the nurseries and make sure that the required
seedlings are raised and the nurseries are properly maintained, it will be
necessary to recruit fully fledged nursery attendants for the nursery site to
take care of nursery operations, maintain the nursery hygiene and make sure
seedlings are free of disease, have a proper watering regime and survival.
The nursery attendants will also be responsible for taking stock of the
seedlings and take stock of the requests by beneficiaries.
Activity 1.6: Establish woodlots at communities and schools
This will involve guiding schools and communities to establish woodlots.
Specifically, there will be need to hire labor to demonstrate aspects of lining,
pitting and planting in the selected sites and later on training on tree
tending. The proposal is to work with 10 schools in each district (totaling 40)
and 20 farmers in each district (totaling 80). In all, sustainable approaches
will be promoted. Broadleaved trees will constitute the majority of the trees
planted with limited numbers of exotics. The belief is that broadleaved trees
have better ecosystem services which include among others conservation of
biodiversity.

Objective 2: To build capacity within local stakeholders (schools and

farmers, local government staff) to better understand the importance of
biodiversity and ecosystem services and role out best practice project
initiatives.

Eco-Agric Uganda will deploy communication approaches to create

awareness for conservation farming using a wide range of communication
materials, both print and electronic, through synergies with community
based organizations that directly work with communities and working with
sector institutions such as the District Forest Services.
Activity 2.1: District and sub-county level stakeholder consultations.
One stakeholder meeting will be held in Lira, bringing together district level
stakeholders. During this meeting, project objectives, outputs, entry points
and outcomes will be clarified to the district level partners as well as
partners such as the National Forestry Authority and selected NGOs/CSOs
working on environment matters in the district. Key among the district
officials will include the Chief Administrative Officers, District Natural
Resources Officers, the District Community Officers, District Forest Officers,

District Environment Officers, District Education Officers, District Councilors

in charge of environment and Community Development Officers.
For each of the selected project district, there will be a stakeholder meeting
bringing together the political and civic leadership of the sub-county as well
as the selected beneficiary community members and schools. Again, the
intention is to clarify on the project objectives vis a vis the expected
outcomes.
Activity 2.2: Conduct trainings for schools and communities on tree
growing
In general there will be need to re-orient peoples minds and attitudes about
growing indigenous trees because of the over-hyped growing of exotics that
have been promoted for years and benefits are highly appreciated.
In this regard, training sessions will be necessary, particularly to stress the
importance of indigenous trees and how they complement benefits that
accrue from growing exotics. Issues to stress during these trainings are those
that relate to restoration of the ecosystem that is gifted by nature and is the
pride of Uganda and therefore the pride of the people within the project area.
The other issue will be elaborating on the planting plan for indigenous trees
given the smallness of plots of land owned by small scale land holders.
For each of the project districts, 10 schools and 20 farmers will be trained.
Activity 2.3: Radio programming
Eco-Agric Uganda will undertake to hold Radio Talk Shows and Spot
messages on conservation farming. The proposal is to have 2 radio talk
showsand 40 spot messages per month on a selected radio station. The
district officials will participate in these radio talk shows and panelists
providing professional guidance on the concept of conservation farming and
ecosystems services restoration.
For the spot messages, scripts will be developed and input solicited from
environment and natural resources departments of the districts before they
are voiced. Eco-Agric Uganda will undertake to record the said messages in
established studios.
Activity 2.4: Document outcomes of the project (knowledge
management)
This will involve capturing knowledge and skills and lessons learnt. Success
stories will be disseminated. Experiential learning will be promoted where
successful farmers will be urged to pass on the knowledge and skills to other

community members. The entire documentation will aim to provide guidance

on how to restore ecosystems in agricultural landscapes.
By the end of the project, the beneficiaries are expected to have established woodlots
and planted trees in the agro-ecological systems to aid biodiversity restoration. This is in
line with the thematic/focal area on Land Degradation and Sustainable Forest
Management but also contributes to the thematic area on conservation of biodiversity.
It is also envisaged that communities should have started involving themselves in the
establishment of tree nurseries. This is the only way to sustain the impact of the project.
Uganda's population has grown from 4.8 million people in 1950 to 24.3 million in 2002
(UBOS, 2002). The current estimated population of Uganda is32.4 million. Within the
proposed project area, there has been population increase, too. This increase in
population has continued to put pressure on the inelastic resources available. Protected
areas such as the forest reserves, wildlife reserves and wetlands are under attack from
the increasing population.
There is therefore need for restore degraded land and instill responsible and/or
sustainable forest management (one of the focal areas of the GEF SGP program). In
addition, there is need to promote biodiversity conservation at community level. This is
the only way Ugandas dwindling resource base will be restored.
There has been (and possibly will continue to be) degradation of such areas because of
the need for agricultural fields for food production, energy needs and settlement. The
mandated institutions such as the National Forestry Authority and the District Forest
Services, Environment Offices, the Wildlife Authority are challenged to restore the lost
biodiversity glory. The options are limited by the socio-political environment that does
not favour restoration of ecosystem services.
Whereas the National Development Plan 2010 recognizes natural resources as core to
the development of the country, specifically as a major tourist attraction, and as life
support, there is limited effort on ground to promote ecosystem restoration.
Agriculture on one hand has been a major driver to biodiversity loss but also emerging
commercial enterprises such as sun-flower, cotton and tobacco growing have
contributed to this phenomenon. Consequently, there is need for a concerted effort
towards this uphill task to restore ecosystems.

One way to do it is through encouraging communities to undertake initiatives supporting

conservation farming and ecosystem restoration approaches. The proposals herein are
geared towards that and are detailed here under.

3.

Explanation of how this reforestation project fits in with other conservation projects in the area, specifically
WWF projects: (no more than 250 words)

These are in line with the GEF SGP OP6 results indicators like Climate Change (CC)
mitigation where 60000 Ibs of CO2 and other gases will be sequestered through tree
planting, conservation farming and use of energy saving stoves; 400 women headed
households will be using agriculture production practices that reduce GHG emission. It
will also reduce land degradation (LD) & Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
through sustainable forest, agricultural and water management practices on 160
hectares of land; while 400 women headed households using sustainable land and
forest management practices. This will in the long run improve llivelihoods, while
sustainably improving development, and empowering 400 households. The number of
quality meals got in the target households will increase from zero to two or three hence
reducing the number of days of food shortage, while the target beneficiaries will have
income to support children at school hence increasing the number of student days
participating in schools. Money spent on food will reduce increasing the purchasing
power for other house hold assets.

4. Please upload a photo of the area to be restored/reforested:

5. Please upload an additional photo of the area to be restored/reforested:
7. Please upload a map of the area:
8. Detailed description of the proposed reforestation activity, including:

a - Expected number of trees to be planted:

b - Expected number of hectares to be restored:

c - Tree species selected and why, please include Latin name and climate adaptability of the species
selected: (no

Ficus natalensis (Mutuba), Demand for wood fuel is high It improves soil fertility-Ficus
natalensis sheds leaves once every year, adding to soil humus. It checks the speed of wind
thereby protecting crops. The Ficus branches can be used to grow climbing plants eg. passion
fruits, yams as well as climbing beans It Prevents soil erosion by checking rain drop splash,
speed and amount of surface runoff and stabilizes the soil. Because the ficus tree takes time to
establish, other technologies such as trenches and grass strips could be used to reinforce it Ficus
is used to provide backcloth that is sold for the making of Art and crafts and for cultural
functions. Trees shield crops from dangerous storms /rains and intense sunshine. Encourage the
spread of the canopy Ficus is good and attractive to birds and insects Provision of material
support in form of seedlings, farm tools for accelerated multiplication Ficus natalensis leaves are
cut and fed to livestock like goats. Encourage indeginous trees and growing fodder crops such as
calliandra and nappier grass
Musambya (Makhamia eminii) They provide good bee forage, trees are a source of
firewood and produce good charcoal. Fuelwood is used to cure tobacco, the wood,
which is fairly resistant to termites, is used for furniture, poles, posts, tool handles and
boat building and leaves are known to have medicinal value.
It is recommended for use in soil-conservation, provides useful shade and acts as a
windbreak, it provides mulch, which enhances soil-moisture retention and increases
organic matter, attractive and worth planting as a screen or background tree for gardens
and on golf courses, and M. lutea poles are used as props to support banana trees.
Meiopsis eminii: PRODUCTS Fodder: The leaves are used as fodder. Digestibility of the leaves
by livestock is excellent and only slightly reduced by heating. The leaves have a dry-matter
content of 35%. Fuel: Due to its fast growth, M. eminii is widely planted for fuelwood. Fibre:
Sometimes cultivated for fibre. Timber: The sapwood is light coloured, heartwood brownisholive to dark red, soft and light with a coarse grain. Wood density varies from 0.38 to 0.48
g/cubic cm. The wood dries rapidly, but logs have a tendency to split during felling and storage.
The wood saws and machines easily, and its high absorbency makes it easy to treat with
preservatives but difficult to finish. M. eminii wood is used in poles, boxes, crates, millwork,
plywood, corestock and lumber construction. Untreated wood is vulnerable to termites and
decays in contact with the ground or continual moisture. Lipids: Analyses of M. eminii seed from
Karnataka, India, indicate that they contain 40-50% of an edible oil, the main components of
which are stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Medicine: A strong purgative and diuretic can
be made by soaking the bark in cold water. The root bark is beaten with clay and used to treat

gonorrhoea. SERVICES Shade or shelter: M. eminii has been successfully used as a shade tree,
for example, for coffee in Uganda, cocoa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and cardamom
plantations in southern India. It is commonly retained in homegardens for shade. Ornamental: M.
eminii is a common ornamental planted along roads. Reclamation: It is used for reforestation
purposes.
Canarium shweinfurthii: It is used as food. The slightly greenish outer pulp of the fruit is oily
and edible. It can be eaten raw or softened in warm water to improve palatability. The pulp oil is
about 71 % palmitic acid and 18 % oleic acid. The seed-kernel is oily and edible.
Fuel: The elemi makes a good fuelwood, igniting readily and burning with a lot of heat. The
resin burns readily and is used as a bush candle.
Timber: The sapwood, often very thick up to 15 cm is white with pinkish reflections. The
heartwood is pinkish when fleshly cut but darkens to light brown mahogany colour. The wood,
slightly coarse in texture, has interlocked grains, thus causing a fine striped figure on quartersawn boards. Used as a substitute for true mahogany, it seasons slowly but fairly well, works
easily, stains and polishes well. End splitting may occur during the drying process.
The timber is used as core veneer, for decorative paneling, parquetry, furniture, flooring and for
general utility purposes. Locally, the wood is used for mortars, planks, and canoes.
The resin is used as a fumigant against mosquitoes. The seeds are strung into necklaces or
attached to traditional instruments.
Shade or shelter: The elemi is often left standing on cleared land to provide shade and has
potential as a wind break. Reclamation: The tree has been planted for reforestation in Uganda.
Ornamental: The trees symmetrical branching makes it an attractive avenue and shade tree.
Intercropping: The tree does not compete with crops and has potential for intercropping.
Grevillea robusta: The golden flowers are attractive to bees, making it an important honey

plant. Its honey is dark amber, of high density with a pronounced flavour. It is popular for
firewood and charcoal. It is also used to fuel locomotives and river steamers, power boilers and
small industries. The calorific value of sapwood is about 4800 kcal/kg, while that of heartwood is
4950 kcal/kg.Fibre: Mean fibre length is about 1.5 mm and width about 26 m; the wood is
suitable for pulping. Timber: Grevillea yields a medium-weight hardwood with a density of 540720 kg/cubic m at 15% moisture content. The timber has economic potential. Heartwood is pale
pink-brown, turning to yellow-brown or red-brown on exposure; moderately clearly
differentiated from the cream-coloured to pale pink sapwood; grain straight to wavy; texture
medium to coarse and uneven; wood lustrous; prominent silver grain on radial surface. Shrinkage
upon seasoning is low to moderate; The wood is hard, of low strength, but elastic, can be peeled
and sliced satisfactorily, is moderately durable to non-durable and shows an absorption of
creosote of 128 kg/cubic m when treated by open-tank method and 321 kg/cubic m with pressure
treatment. The wood is used in making railroad ties, plywood, panelling, air-freight cases and
furniture, parquetry, turnery, boat building, interior trim, cabinet work, parquet flooring, boxes,
toys and novelties.
It is a good shade tree in coffee and tea plantations. Its spreading branching system makes it
ideal for windbreaks or shelterbelts against wind-induced mechanical damage, high rates of
transpiration and surface evaporation. It is a pioneering colonizer of disturbed sites, provides
abundant quantities of leaf mulch, which may accumulate to a depth of 30-40 cm. This thick

layer protects the soil and maintains soil temperature. The leaves and twigs are apparently rich in
aluminium. Its majestic height, attractive shape and beautiful foliage make G. robusta an ideal
tree for landscaping of private and public gardens. The cut leaves are used in flower
arrangements, and young plants are grown as indoor pot plants in Europe.
It is a deep rooting system causes little interference with shallow-rooted crops, and it can be
successfully intercropped with banana, tomato and other agricultural crops.

more than 250 words)

d - How climate projections are being taken into account in the research: (no more than 100 words)

e - Description of proposed stakeholder participation: (no more than 150 words)

f - Expected conservation gains: (no more than 150 words)

9. Describe in detail how your training program is building the skills and knowledge of local stakeholders to advance
conservation: (no more than 250 words)

capacity development needs assessments

Selecting suitable capacity development methods. Aligning with other organizations
efforts
combining indoor training and practical application in the field results in better understanding
for farmers

A participatory action research approach was adopted in this research to encourage stakeholder
participation and collaboration, and to ensure project sustainability. One key element of action
research is learning by doing, which results in empowerment and capacity building amongst
participants. There were three phases to the research. Phase 1 focused on research, Phase 2 on
capacity building and transfer of knowledge, and Phase 3 on stakeholder consultation. In Phase
1, a value chain analysis was conducted to identify constraints to, and opportunities for,
improving effectiveness and efficiency in the sweetpotato value chain. This involved
implementing 2 consignment trials to identify where and why product losses occurred, and
personal interviews and focus groups of key value chain operators to understand the issues and
opportunities facing them. Value chain operators interviewed included women farmers groups,
marketers, truck/bus drivers, managers of trucking and shipping companies, microfinance
institutions, and institutional buyers. We also conducted a farm survey in the PNG highlands, and
consumer surveys in Lae and Port Moresby. Results from this research were presented to project
collaborators at a stakeholder workshop, where feedback was received, priority issues and
training needs were identified, and action plans were developed. In Phase 2, four farmers groups
in the PNG Highlands were selected for capacity building and transfer of knowledge necessary to
improve their participation and contribution in their respective sweetpotato value chains. A series
of training workshops were provided to the selected groups in: financial literacy, marketing
planning, costing and gross margins, postharvest management, and processing. Learning
outcomes from the training were then assessed. The assessment, along with lessons learned, were
used to fine-tune the training materials and delivery methods. As part of the training and capacity
building process, arrangements were made for linking farmers to microfinance institutions and to
traders, and for linking traders to supermarkets. In Phase 3, potential development partners were
consulted to better understand the current status of the agricultural extension system and support
services for assisting smallholder farmers in PNG, and their role in it. The other objective was to
identify areas for collaboration with potential development partners. Phase 4, which is due to
commence in April 2015, will involve organising a stakeholder workshop to discuss the results
from Phases 1-3, and to develop strategies and action plans for meeting the training needs of
smallholder sweetpotato farmers, as well as setting the stage for improving the national RD&E

system for the agricultural sector in PNG Results from the activities completed in Phases 1 - 3
are summarised and discussed in the following sections
According to project design, Farmer Field School (FFS) approach will be used for training farmers. This training is for
season long and varies in accordance with the type of field school, but many of them fall within six months period.
Accordingly, about 1,484 crop and livestock FFS are being carried out in the project area. Most of these were
completed by the end of June, which is the end of the farming season.

10. Please upload an agenda for your proposed project's active training component: (proposed agenda should be no
longer than three pages)
11. Please upload a detailed project timeline:
12: Expected outcomes including short term (six months to a year) and long term (1+ years) expectations: (no more
than 500 words)
The expected impacts/outputs here below are linked to the specific objectives above.
Improved yields and income through agri-business production gardens and woodlots
Reduced firewood consumption through increased utilisation of energy saving technologies
Conservation of water thereby enabling availability of water for production/watering gardens and safe
drinking water at community level and in schools;
Improved income streams and investment in eco-friendly enterprises
Increased awareness about integrated approached to natural resources management
Sustainable green agricultural practices documented, disseminated and promoted
Planning and programming for natural resources at district level strengthened
ENR and climate change integrated in District Development Plans

13. Method of evaluation describe how you will measure the expected outcomes , i.e. surveys, monitoring, survival
rate of planted trees: (no more than 500 words

Prepare and publish a baseline fact-sheet for project activities

Tree Talk will aim to undertake a baseline study to document the socioeconomic status of the beneficiaries and the environmental characteristics of
the landscape of the project area. The baseline study will be a reference
material for use within the project area.
Compile and produce quarterly/biannual progress report
For each quarter, Tree Talk will aim to produce a quarterly report. The report
will aim to document success stories, the challenges as well as proposed
activities for the following quarter. The narrative quarterly report will be
accompanied with a financial report.
Organise a media visits to the project sites twice a year.
In order to provide the project with increased visibility, Tree Talk intends to
plan and schedule two media visits to the project sites. The intention is for
the media to report back to the wider audience about the progress and
promote the need to replicate the model in other parts of the country.
Bi-annual physical audit of project activities
Tree Talk will aim to undertake an internal audit of the project activities twice
a year to guide the project implementation team to adhere to set rules,
procedures and systems for management of project activities as well as
observing value for money

14. Long- term tree stewardship/maintenance plans: (no more than 500 words)

15. Please upload a CV for the lead trainer:

16. Please upload biographies for the other trainers: