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In Uganda, agriculture is the backbone of nation’s economy—employing 70% of the population, contributing to 50% of national export earnings, and 25% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (source: FAO). With most Ugandans living in rural areas and practicing farming, rising populations and income growth have increased the demand for food and agricultural products. Growing … Continued
To protect biodiversity, first we must understand it. That’s why at Trees for the Future (TREES), we regularly conduct biodiversity assessments in the project areas where we work. This helps to establish a baseline for landscape restoration, identify species of concern, and map High Conservation Value (HCV) areas—a crucial component in restoring ecosystems, supporting farmers, … Continued
On their land in eastern Uganda, Adito and his wife Mary are raising seven children – four of their own and three orphans they’ve taken in. Providing daily meals, paying school fees, and keeping the household running is no easy task. But with the Forest Garden Approach, Adito and Mary are transforming their farm into … Continued
12-year-old Nabwire Cynthia sits in a guava tree with her big brother Daniel Bwire. The pair are snacking on the sweet fruit as the sun begins to set on their father’s Forest Garden. Charles’ Farm Needed Something New Their dad, Charles Omondi, has been farming his land in Busia, Uganda for 40 years. But he … Continued
In Busia, Uganda, farmers typically grow one of three common crops: coffee, bananas, or sugar. The climate is well suited for these globally consumed cash crops. But after generations of clearing the mountainous farmlands of tree cover to grow the same crop over and over again, farmers in the region are paying the price. Increasingly … Continued
“Welcome to my market!” Peter Musimbi welcomes us as we step between the calliandra trees that line his Forest Garden and approach his permagarden beds. Each bed contains tiny sprouts of food crops like sukuma wiki (ready for harvest!), cow peas and garden peas. This “market” is active all year long, and the profits … Continued
Like many Ugandan farmers, Kakai Harriet is growing coffee on her farm. Coffee is a commonly grown commodity crop in Harriet’s home region of Mount Elgon and across the country. The globally beloved caffeine-packed berries support the Ugandan economy as a leading export. But after decades of growing coffee on the steep slopes of Uganda’s mountainous … Continued
Beneath the shade of the trees she planted herself, Rosemary Adika lists all the things growing on her Kenyan farm. “Many different types of tree species; palm trees, avocado, mango. I grow maize, cassava.” The list is far from exhaustive. At last count, she had 17 different food and market crops growing on her land … Continued
Nuriati Jumanne Mpinda doesn’t have access to a bank or traditional financial support services. “I didn’t have that capacity to save money,” Nuriati says. “All the money I got was immediately used to buy basic needs.” Limited Access to Financial Services Perpetuates Poverty For farmers like Nuriati, limited or nonexistent access to financial services and … Continued
As Mohamed Limo tends to his farm in Singida, Tanzania, there is a soft humming overhead. A drone is methodically circling the one-acre plot, taking detailed photos of the trees, shrubs, and crops covering his land. Mohamed is part of Trees for the Future’s (TREES) Forest Garden training program. TREES trains farmers in a regenerative … Continued