The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) joined forces in 2019, leveraging a combined 65 years’ experience in research on the role of forests and trees in solving critical global challenges.
Participants pose for a group photo (Photo: Kayitare Alexandre)
The second phase of the Trees for Food Security (T4FS) project was successfully launched during an inception workshop held on 16-17 February 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda. Dubbed Developing integrated options and accelerating scaling up of agroforestry for improved food security and resilient livelihoods in Eastern Africa, the initiative was mooted following successful completion of the first phase implemented between 2012 and 2016.
The aim of this event was to share key issues touching on implementation of the second phase of the project with all stakeholders. Discussions focused on the objectives, methodology, activities, and the roles and responsibilities of various partners.
During his opening speech, Dr. Patrick Karangwa, head of research at Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) representing the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, acknowledged the impressive contribution of the project’s first phase in developing different options for addressing food security constraints and building the capacity of farmers in implementing sustainable agricultural practices through agroforestry. He also disclosed that after the success of the rural resource centre model introduced by the project, RAB had resolved to establish seven more centres in the area.
Tony Bartlett, a forestry programme manager at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), revealed that the initiative had been awarded funding for another phase due to the remarkable achievements of the first one. “During the second phase we will have an opportunity to disseminate the lessons learnt to more people and make a difference in their lives by scaling up the successful interventions,” he added.
Some of the beneficiaries of the initial phase also shared their experiences. Clemence Mukarugwiza, a tree tomato farmer from Karago Sector noted, “Through increased income from the sale of tree tomatoes introduced by the project, I obtained health insurance for my family and opened a bank account where I save money. I am also able to pay my children’s school fees.”
Joseph Desiré Rugerero attributed increased production of climbing beans in his farm to easily accessible Alnus acuminata stakes, which were introduced by the project, compared to Napier which were weak and difficult to obtain. He noted that since climbing beans are strongly anchored, they grow with more vigour, produce more, and are less susceptible to yellowing of leaves and diseases. His family can now comfortably produce enough beans for consumption and income generation.
(L to R): Fergus Sinclair, Tony Bartlett, George Gitau (World Vision Director) and Patrick Karangwa keenly following the proceedings during the inception workshop (Photo: Kayitare Alexandre)
In her closing remarks, Dr Catherine Muthuri, the project manager, commended the team for their dedication during the first phase. She acknowledged that implementing the next phase would not be easy, and called upon all stakeholders to continue with the same commitment.
The second phase of T4FS is funded by ACIAR and will run from 2017 to 2020. It aims to improve food security and smallholder livelihoods through the widespread adoption of appropriate locally adapted agroforestry practices in key agricultural landscapes in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda.
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