Agroforestry has emerged as a key approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation, integrating trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennial plants into agricultural systems. This practice was adopted by MUZARDI in the cattle corridor districts of the Lake Victoria Crescent Agro-Ecological Zone, to enhance economic, environmental, and social resilience for farmers, helping them diversify their livelihoods.
In partnership with FAO, the institute sought to establish tree nurseries, as a source for high-quality planting materials, such as seeds, seedlings, and cuttings. The project “Integrating Climate Resilience into Agricultural and Pastoral Production in Uganda, was implemented under a Farmer/Agro-pastoralist Field School Approach in Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Kayunga, and Luweero Districts.” Working alongside key partners like the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), Caritas Kasanaensis (CKL), and local farmer associations in Kayunga and Nakasongola, MUZARDI organized training sessions to train farmers on tree nursery establishment and management. A total, of 635 farmers were trained at different nursery sites within local communities. Humphrey Kigabane, an agroforestry technician at MUZARDI, highlighted the importance of establishing tree nurseries to curb biodiversity loss, conserve threatened tree species and combat climate change.
Dr. Boaz Odoi, a senior research officer at NAFORRI, trained farmers on selecting suitable nursery sites, preparing the soil, designing the nursery beds, and practicing tree propagation techniques such as grafting and budding. He advised farmers to have nursery beds oriented in an East-West direction to ensure that seedlings receive the optimal shade, especially during the early stages of growth.
Farmers appreciated the hands-on training, as it allowed them practice the techniques using locally available materials like poles, grass, and banana fibers. They also practiced grafting fruit tree seedlings that enhance their agroforestry initiatives.
Identified agroforestry tree species include Eucalyptus (GU8, GU7 & GU), Maesopsis eminii (Musizi), Grevillea, Albizia chinensis (Albizia), Chrolia (Migavu), fruit trees (mango, avocado, orange, guava, jackfruit, pawpaw), and other high-value species like Entasesa, Omusizi, Cocoa, sour soup (Ekitafeeri), Prunus Africa (Entasesa), and Cinnamomum verum (Mudalasin). These seedlings are also available at MUZARDI.