A change in traditional practices among pastoralists in Uganda is paying off as they venture into agroforestry, mixed farming, bee keeping and other forms of agriculture.

Daily Monitor reports on the Trans-boundary Agro-ecosystem Management Project (Tamp) which is transforming practices in the western district of Kiruhura and seeing benefits in terms of greater incomes, improved food security and nutrition, better animal health and a healthier environment.

The project has been implemented for the past 3 years by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and funded by the Global Environment Fund in partnership with the Ugandan Government.

Farmers are changing from keeping large herds to smaller herds with higher productivity, using organic manure, fencing off grazing land to minimize soil erosion and land degradation, and planting fodder species that increase milk production. They are also adopting mixed farming practices such as growing vegetables and bee-keeping.

Through agroforestry, famers in Kiruhura are growing trees for timber as well as fruits. They are also planting trees to restore degraded land and provide nectar for bees.

The project has operated through existing farmers groups and made use of farmer field schools to transfer knowledge. Communal tree nurseries have also been established to support agroforestry and re-afforestation.

The article says farmers’ lives have improved tremendously through improved milk yields, more honey, soil fertility improvement and having enough food.

Read the full story: Changing mindsets for better farming practices