1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

26/05/2017

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Farmer owned initiated pine tree planting approach is an individual initiative promoted by a farmer with the aim of establishing modern tree nurseries for raising seedlings for other farmers and communal learning

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

A farmer started the approach locally and later obtained training and approval to operate as certified tree nursery bed operator by the national forestry authority (NFA) to promote quality tree seedlings promotion. Northern Uganda normally experiences devastating fire outbreaks during dry seasons (November-March) which usually destroy vegetation covers. This leaves the land bare resulting in persistent soil erosion, low soil fertility, low production and low incomes. This is the reason to promote tree nurseries as an alternative source of income. The approach promotes environmental conservation through tree planting, triggers saw-log production, sustainable land utilization and increases household income from the sale of tree seedlings.

The nursery bed project was linked to a saw log production scheme Grant (SPGS) by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) who have supported and trained the farmer with grants/money for procuring the tree seeds from countries like Australia, Brazil and South Africa. This individual farmer together with SPGS and partners first developed guidelines (similar to a community’s constitution) informing on how to establish and manage tree nurseries plantations including marketing products for value addition. The guidelines highlight that:
(1) Prospective beneficiaries must be organized individuals operating a tree nursery bed
(2) The nursery bed should be certified resp. approved by the forestry authority (NFA)
(3) Nursery owners must train other community members on tree nursery bed establishment and tree planting
(4) Nursery owners must provide tree seedlings to other community members for purchase
(5) Beneficiaries must be in position to plant tree seedling in own fields which would, in turn, act as a demonstration site
(6) Beneficiaries should have willingness and ability to perform according to the guidelines (https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/37755510/spgs-tree-planting-guidelines for-Uganda-all-chapters-low).

Trees seedling procured by interested farmers are planted into the established seedbed at the onset of the rains under the supervision of the nursery bed owner. The community performs plantation planning meetings and training / exchange visits to empower other farmers to mobilize resources for environmental conservation. Up to now, participating farmers have been involved in raising over 350000 tree seedlings for timber and other tree species per year from 2007.

Benefits linked to this approach include the presence of the leadership committee supported by the guidelines/constitution to guide the farmers' activities, farmer-to-farmer learning, demonstration plots, and access to information and decision support on commercial forest plantation establishment.

The sale of products as well as environmental services has enabled the farmers’ community to extend its networks and partnerships beyond SPGS. Farmer communities also supply tree seedlings to churches, schools and other private clients. They do demonstrations and give advice to farmers so that their seedlings survive.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• recent local initiative/ innovative

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

To promote environmental conservation through tree planting, improve saw-log production, sustainable land utilisation, and income

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	self-mobilization	The land users mobilise resources for the establishment of the tree nursery bed
planning	self-mobilization	The land users are active in the planning process of the nursery bed activities
implementation	interactive	The land users and SPGS
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	The land users and SPGS

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• land users alone (self-initiative)

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings
• courses

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local
• regional
• national

• international

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

European journalists makes follow up on the project progress basing on the grant given.

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training
• equipment

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

SPGS and university students

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• < 2,000

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

FAO, SPGS

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Yes

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, etc.):

Interest free loan

Specify credit providers:

SPGS

Specify credit receivers:

The land user

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Formulation and implementation of bylaws, Trainings, Exchange visits.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The land user is involved in selling tree seedlings, trees and the income obtained is used to manage the nursery bed and forest activities like fireline, weeding etc. The presence of an organised leadership. With better management skills to manage, the land user will keep working very closely with other groups .

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Maximum productivity per unit area
High income
Carbon sink

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Modify climate
Mitigate land conflict
Social interactions

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
High cost of planting materials	acquiring own seedling source
High costs of inputs and chemicals	purchase affordable once
Climate variability	irrigations

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The approach usually starts by an individual farmer	He needs to form an organisation where they can work as a group for improved efficiency

7.1 Methods/ sources of information