Despite prolonged dry spells, erratic rainfall, and increasing pressure on natural resources, farmers in Adjumani District are demonstrating that commercial forestry can thrive even in some of Uganda’s most challenging environments. Through the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Woodlots Project, hundreds of farmers are establishing commercial woodlots that contribute to household incomes, environmental restoration, and climate resilience.

Adjumani is emerging as one of the strongest-performing districts under the Project. Farmers are increasingly embracing commercial tree growing as both a livelihood opportunity and a practical response to climate-related challenges. The growing interest in woodlot establishment reflects increasing recognition of the economic and environmental benefits that trees can provide.

Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment together with consortium partners including NIRAS International Consulting, ECOTRUST, Green Life International, and Havilah Company Limited, the Project supports farmers with technical guidance, quality planting materials, and practical knowledge needed to establish productive commercial woodlots.

According to Deziderius Irumba, Community Engagement Expert at NIRAS International Consulting, the Project is designed to be farmer-driven from the outset.

“This project is being implemented in 19 districts, covering refugee-hosting and transit areas. Farmers are enrolled based on interest. They select land voluntarily and, together with technical teams, choose tree species based on their objectives.”

Although implemented within a compressed timeframe, the Project is generating strong farmer interest and participation. Adjumani is among the districts exceeding expectations in woodlot establishment, demonstrating the potential for commercial forestry even in areas affected by harsh climatic conditions.

“Even after registration closed, farmers continued coming. The interest is high because people are feeling climate pressure and see trees as both a solution and an opportunity,” Irumba explains.

A major factor behind Adjumani’s performance is the emphasis on quality establishment practices. Participating farmers receive technical guidance on site preparation, land clearing, plantation layout, spacing, and pit preparation before seedlings are distributed. These measures help improve survival rates and long-term productivity.

The impact of the Project is also reflected in the experiences of participating farmers. Through training and technical support, farmers are gaining practical skills in woodlot establishment and management.

John Paul Okeny, a participating farmer, explains:

“We learned land preparation, including clean weeding, slash weeding, and chemical weeding. These methods help us prepare clean planting sites so seedlings do not compete with weeds.”

Farmers are also trained in plantation layout and spacing techniques that help maximise productivity and simplify plantation management.

“We were taught lining and pitting, how to mark straight lines and dig holes in an organised pattern. The spacing is three metres by three metres. This helps us calculate the number of trees per acre and makes the plantation easy to manage.”

For many participants, the training is changing perceptions of tree growing from a traditional activity into a structured business opportunity.

The Project promotes commercial woodlots as long-term investments capable of generating income through timber, poles, and other forest products. One of the most popular species is clonal eucalyptus, which offers relatively fast returns compared to traditional eucalyptus varieties.

According to Denis Emmanuel Oweka, Regional Coordinator for West Nile and North-East Uganda:

“Clonal eucalyptus is artificially developed and grows faster than seed-based varieties. Farmers prefer it because it gives quicker returns, sometimes within three to five years.”

Farmers are also establishing Tectona grandis (teak), a slower-growing species that produces high-value timber and offers long-term economic benefits.

Beyond income generation, the woodlots are contributing to landscape restoration, increased tree cover, and improved environmental conditions.

Forestry experts involved in implementation report encouraging survival rates across participating woodlots, with farmers demonstrating strong commitment to plantation management and maintenance.

The experience from Adjumani demonstrates that commercial forestry can succeed even under challenging climatic conditions when farmers are supported with the right knowledge, planting materials, and technical guidance. Strong farmer participation, adherence to recommended practices, and growing market opportunities are helping transform commercial tree growing into a viable livelihood strategy.

As more farmers invest in woodlots, the IFPA-CD Woodlots Project continues to demonstrate how climate-smart forestry can contribute to improved household incomes, landscape restoration, and long-term resilience in refugee-hosting communities across northern and western Uganda.