Farmers in Kikuube District are increasingly embracing commercial tree growing as a pathway to improved livelihoods, environmental restoration, and climate resilience. Through the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Woodlots Project, participating farmers are establishing climate-smart commercial woodlots designed to generate future income while contributing to sustainable landscape management.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment together with consortium partners including NIRAS International Consulting, ECOTRUST, Havilah Company Limited, and Green Life International, the Project is supporting farmers with quality seedlings, technical guidance, and practical knowledge needed to establish productive woodlots. The initiative is being implemented across 19 districts in western and north-western Uganda, including Kikuube District.

One of the participating farmers is Winfred Natukunda from Kidoma Parish in Kiziranfumbi Sub-county. Together with her husband, Boniface Lucky, the family established a commercial woodlot using 3,794 treated clonal eucalyptus seedlings on approximately 3.19 hectares of land. The woodlot represents a long-term investment that is expected to generate future income while contributing to environmental conservation.

To improve survival rates and protect farmers’ investments, the Project is supplying treated seedlings and providing technical support on proper planting and woodlot management practices. Particular attention is given to protecting young trees against termites, one of the most significant threats to eucalyptus establishment in the region. These climate-smart approaches have helped farmers improve the chances of successful woodlot establishment and long-term productivity.

District forestry officials worked closely with participating farmers to promote good planting practices and provide technical guidance during the establishment phase.

“This programme is designed to empower our farmers economically while contributing to environmental restoration,” noted Wilfred Abitegeka, Kikuube District Forest Officer.

For participating households, the benefits extend beyond environmental restoration. Commercial woodlots provide opportunities for future income generation, household asset creation, and improved resilience to climate and market shocks.

“I am very happy about this programme. These trees will help us earn income in the future and improve our livelihoods,” said Boniface Lucky. “We are involving the whole family in this work.”

Across Kikuube District, hundreds of farmers are participating in the Project, collectively establishing significant areas of commercial woodlots. Through a combination of quality planting materials, technical support, and coordinated stakeholder engagement, the IFPA-CD Woodlots Project demonstrates the potential of commercial forestry as a viable livelihood option for rural households.

The experience from Kikuube highlights how commercial tree growing can simultaneously support household incomes, landscape restoration, and climate resilience. By investing in woodlots today, participating farmers are creating assets that will continue generating economic and environmental benefits for years to come.