HELP 800 FARMERS PLANT 50000 FRUIT TREES IN UGANDA

SummarY

This project facilitates 800 local farmers in Eastern Uganda grow 50,000 fruit trees (avocado, jack fruits, papaws, improved mangoes, oranges and lemons as a means of preserving and conserving environment, mitigating the impact of climate change , improving household incomes and nutrition, through fruit sales and consumption in 4 years. The project raises fruit tree nursery beds and provide seedlings to local farmers for plantation. Raised a nursery bed of 4200 fruit trees and the quarter ended when not ready for distribution.

Achievements in the quarter

• 45 farmers were monitored and their fruit trees were growing well.

• 55 farmers have registered for seedlings for the quarter January- March.

Challenges:

• There is limited funding to accelerate the project despite the high demand of the fruit tree seedlings.

• Prolonged drought delayed distribution of the seedlings to farmers.

• Fruit tree seedlings are very expensive to buy from open market

• Seeds are relatively expensive.

Recommendations:

Fruit trees are more significant in mitigating the impact of climate change compared to other tree grown Eastern region of Uganda. They are grown for timber and firewood and when cut, they don’t re-germinate. And when planted, the maturity period is the same. Fruit trees bear fruits that are harvested and sold and bi-annually for consumption and to raise household incomes while firewood and timber trees are harvested once. This project is therefore, viable in in improving environment, household incomes and nutrition. We therefore request all supporters to donate to this project so as to mitigate the impact of climate change in Eastern Uganda fruit tree growing.

Links:

• http://www.google.com