Kapchorwa District Landcare Chapter (KADLACC) in Uganda is an innovative platform linking Landcare efforts in the area and working towards a sustainable landcare system that enhances people’s livelihoods.
The formation of KADLACC in 2003 was a culmination of three years of collective action and collaborative effort between farmer groups, community based organizations, NGOs, local government and research institutions. Since that time it has provided support, training and networks for the local Landcare groups.
A recent visit in late October 2011 to three representative Landcare groups registered with KADLACC provided valuable insight into the progress and impact of Landcare in the area.
One of these groups, Tegeres Multipurpose association, started in 2003 when the forest area on which they had previously relied for firewood was protected. The group initiated nurseries for tree planting to replace their fuel source and have since expanded to a number of activities including zero grazing, biogas, fodder shrubs and Napier grass on contours, improved crop species, control banks, collective milk marketing, honey production, goat rearing, horticulture, piggeries and passion fruits.
The group reported that before the introduction of Landcare nobody in their community worked collectively. When asked what were the benefits of working together as a group? They said:
- Gaining knowledge and skills as a group
- Contours/trenches – digging together can lighten the load
- Group marketing (if you sell alone you get a lower price, if you sell together you get a higher price)
- Coming together makes you innovative-e.g. you must have a cow to join some groups
- Network to other friends and people from outside
- People are pushed; some people are lazy and are made to work hard when they are part of a group.
These days the Tegeres group has been approached by other people who are requesting assistance in developing their own groups. The Tegeres group has adopted a mentoring system whereby they include these people and help them through the stages of group formation.
When asked the benefits of being part of the platform KADLACC some of the responses were: Training, skills put in practice, given funds – beehives, spades, start-up capital and can now lobby local government for funds. They agreed that as a group they had impact on local policy through KADLACC where their chairman represents them. All work plans go through KADLACC so their work is well known and incorporated into the sub county and District plans.
While the group faces many challenges it has plans to overcome some of these and has a vision of making their parish a model parish so that no one begs, everyone works together and no one is left behind. They are proud of their efforts and want people to visit their area to see what they have achieved.
The group has many plans for the future in terms of advancing their milk collection and marketing technology and expanding their work with zero grazing, improved breeds, biogas and fodder. The group would like to buy a chaff cutter and develop a centre for good distribution. It has also plans to source for funds and expand apiary project by 500 bee hives in the year 2015 since it has the advantage of the adjacent Mt. Elgon National Park.
For more information on KADLACC please email: