By properly training local staff and supporting agencies in the Forest Garden Approach (FGA), TREES ensures that smallholder farmers participating in the program are, in-turn, receiving effective and appropriate training in agroforestry and the Forest Garden methodology.
TREES technicians and partners typically have educational and professional experience in agriculture, but most have not traditionally practiced agroforestry and permaculture to the degree used in the FGA. The Uganda ToT in June focused on skills building, planning Forest Garden project sites, and establishing community involvement and practice of the FGA. The training involved theory and hands-on application of the FGA including activities like grafting fruit trees and learning how to make and utilize compost.
“The training is very useful. I can now understand more things,” said Sharon Obote, a TREES technician attending the training for the first time. Obote studied the Forest Garden Training Manual when she joined TREES, but said she really benefited from the hands-on guidance she received at the ToT.
Trees for the Future’s Uganda Business Development & Communication Liaison Mathius Lukwago said the trainees were all enthusiastic about incorporating the new skills and practices in their programs. “Participants are excited about the high level of knowledge exhibited among themselves through experience sharing and interaction,” he said.
With the completion of this training, TREES will immediately begin working with the three cooperatives on nursery development to engage 600 farmers farmers in planting 600,000 trees in the Mount Elgon region during the rainy season this fall.