The Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CEPARD) is partnering with Kakuuto Community Development project (KACODEP) to sustain the post Kagera Trans-boundary Agro ecosystems Management Project (Kagera TAMP-FAO) outcomes.

The Kagera Trans-boundary Agro ecosystems Management Project (Kagera TAMP-FAO was a 4 year (2011-2014) project, funded by Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through FAO Uganda. The project was implemented in 4 East African countries i.e. Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.

The major objective of the project was Agro ecosystems and Sustainable Land management. In Uganda, the project was implemented in 6 districts that form the Kagera River Basin and these included Rakai, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Kabaale, Ntungamo, and Mbarara districts. Kakuuto Community Development project (KACODEP) was the implementing partner for Rakai district technically supported by Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CEPARD) and Rakai district Department of Nature resources.

The project was implemented using the Watershed Management system through the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach. Two watersheds were selected and these included Kakuuto in Kakuuto Sub County and Katongero in Kyebe Sub County.

The nature of the FFS is that they are sustainable mechanisms that exist after project closure and therefore after the end of the project funding. KACODEP and CEPARD are continuing to facilitate the communities to continue sustaining the lessons learnt to date through non financial mechanisms.

The projects was closed with most important outcomes  including  formation of   12 Farmer   Field   Schools   (FFS)  in   the  2  watersheds   of Kakuuto   and   Katongero which are operational, on-farm training of 60 TOTs involving FFS leaders and local leaders on sustainable land Management technologies and practices, and  establishment of FFS study plot for 12 farmer field schools.

The project has organized and carried out 2 study trips for FFS members and local leader’s one in Kabingo watershed- Mbarara district, and a second in Kiruhura district consisting of 35 famers each. A total of 70 farmers participated in exposure and study visits which held in Mbarara and Kiruhura districts.

The project has also worked with Watershed Management committee together with local leaders to develop community by-laws against poor land management practices.

For more information contact National Discourse Forum Uganda (UNDF): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.