Understanding Ugandan Native Plant Species' Role in innovative sustainable landscapes
This project goal is to Understand Ugandan native plant species ‘role in innovative sustainable landscapes.
It is focused at promoting the roles and importance’s of native food tree species and minimise Global challenges of food security, biodiversity loss and climate change through agroforestry innovations.
The project is achieving this goal through;
- Establishment of 5 agroforestry trials in Uganda from different agroecological zones,
- Plant selected 34 native food tree species and collect data on their nutritional values, barriers to food consumption, traditional knowledge, methods of growing, and eating, to aid and guide during the nutrition analysis.
- And by developing food products from edible parts of the selected native food tree species and promote them on both local and international markets.
The development of innovative food products from native species that address nutritional gaps in Ugandan diets will improve their value and marketability.
The inclusion of smallholder farmers at every stage of the project development is an assurance that they are the current and future beneficiaries of developments.
As demand increases, there is increased farmer uptake of agroforestry compared to less diverse systems increasing national biodiversity and health impacts.
Beyond the main crops grown, trees can be planted for food production, fuelwood, fodder, fibre and medicine, Carbon sequestration, diversified income, soil health among many others.
To further benefit a diverse community in Uganda and beyond, trials are working as; Demonstration sites for farmer’s knowledge expansion, research referral for academic institutions, gene banks for rare and endangered native food tree species.
Trial sites: Mbale District, Lwamunda-Mpigi District, Entebbe Municipality at Entebbe Botanical Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Kagadi District, Fort Portal City at TBG.
