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 households are establishing commercial woodlots designed to generate future income while contributing to sustainable land 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 supports farmers with quality seedlings, technical guidance, and practical knowledge needed to establish productive woodlots. Across Kikuube District, hundreds of farmers have participated in the initiative, collectively contributing to the establishment of significant areas of commercial forestry.
One participating household is that of Winfred Natukunda and Boniface Lucky from Kidoma Parish in Kiziranfumbi Sub-county. Through the Project, the family established a commercial woodlot using 3,794 treated clonal eucalyptus seedlings on approximately 3.19 hectares of land.
To improve survival rates and protect farmers’ investments, the Project supplied treated seedlings and promoted climate-smart establishment practices. Particular attention was given to termite management, one of the most significant threats to eucalyptus plantations in the region. Farmers also received technical guidance on site preparation, planting techniques, spacing, and early woodlot management to improve survival and productivity.
The woodlot represents a long-term investment that is expected to provide income through the sale of poles and timber while supporting household welfare and future family needs.
District forestry officials worked closely with participating farmers to promote good forestry practices and support successful woodlot establishment.
“This programme is designed to empower our farmers economically while contributing to environmental restoration,” noted Wilfred Abitegeka, Kikuube District Forest Officer.
For participating families, the benefits extend beyond environmental restoration. Commercial woodlots provide opportunities for long-term income generation, household asset creation, and improved resilience to climate and market-related shocks.
Boneface Lucky, a farmer under the IFP CD Woodlot programme carefully transplanting a seedling into freshly prepared soil, marking the beginning of a new growth of eucalyptue trees on his land in Kido
“These trees will help us earn income in the future and improve our livelihoods. We are involving the whole family in this work,” said Boniface Lucky.
The experience in Kikuube demonstrates how commercial tree growing can contribute to both livelihood improvement and landscape restoration. By investing in woodlots today, participating farmers are creating assets that will continue generating economic and environmental benefits for years to come.
As more households adopt commercial forestry, the IFPA-CD Woodlots Project is helping communities strengthen resilience, increase tree cover, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable rural development.
Follow Us On