Restoring Uganda’s Degraded Landscapes: Harnessing the Power of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR)
Introduction: The Urgency of Landscape Restoration in Uganda
Uganda is facing a critical environmental challenge as nearly 42% of its land is currently degraded. This alarming statistic underscores the strain on natural resources, the impact of climate change, and the subsequent decline in land productivity. To address these pressing issues, World Vision Uganda, in collaboration with the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) and the FMNR Network Uganda, organized a symposium on August 3rd. The event, held at the National Agricultural Showgrounds in Jinja District, was themed “Using Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) as a Tool for Restoring Degraded Landscapes in Uganda.”
Stephen Baluku, Project Manager, FMNR Catalyst Project, World Vision speaking to Participants during the Symposium.
Understanding Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR)
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is an innovative farming practice designed to empower farmers by enhancing their capacity to protect, regenerate, and manage naturally sprouting indigenous trees. This approach serves as an adaptive measure aimed at increasing tree coverage across Uganda’s agricultural landscapes, offering a practical solution to the widespread land degradation.
The FMNR practice is not only simple but also profoundly impactful. By allowing farmers to take control of their environment, FMNR fosters the restoration of hope, productivity, and resilience within communities. This practice holds the potential to significantly contribute to food security, improve household incomes, and bolster resilience to climate change, particularly in regions most affected by environmental degradation.
The Scope of Land Degradation in Uganda and Beyond
The scale of land degradation is a global concern, affecting 29% of the world’s land area. In Africa, this figure rises to 46%, and in Uganda, it is a staggering 42%. With land being a finite resource, the importance of adopting sustainable practices like FMNR cannot be overstated.
Sunday Bob George, a Senior Agricultural Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) responsible for food security, emphasized the need for immediate action. He pointed out that Uganda’s current land management practices are unsustainable, risking the depletion of this vital resource within the next few decades if significant changes are not made. “We are not managing our land in a way that ensures we can sustainably utilize it for the next 29 years. The very trees that provide nutrition for the land are in most areas uprooted, leading to land degradation and low productivity,” he warned.
Ocitti Sam, Secretary General, UNFFE making remarks during the Symposium
FMNR as a Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture
FMNR is more than just a land restoration technique; it is a catalyst for sustainable agricultural practices. By promoting the regeneration of indigenous tree species, FMNR helps restore soil fertility, improve water retention, and create a more balanced ecosystem. This, in turn, leads to increased agricultural productivity, which is essential for improving food security and reducing poverty in rural communities.
Baluku Stephen, Project Manager of the FMNR Catalyst Project at World Vision Uganda, highlighted the crucial role of FMNR in reversing the trend of land degradation. He explained that FMNR is about more than just planting trees; it is about restoring the natural processes that support healthy and productive landscapes. “Uganda’s landscape has faced significant challenges due to deforestation, land degradation, and the impact of climate change, issues that have not only affected the environment but also the livelihood of the 72% of Ugandans who depend on agriculture,” he said.
Commitment to Global and National Restoration Goals
World Vision International has set an ambitious goal to restore 2 billion hectares of degraded landscapes worldwide. Uganda is playing its part in this global effort by committing to the restoration of 2 million hectares of degraded landscapes through FMNR and other regreening practices.
This commitment aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By integrating FMNR into national policies and development plans, Uganda is taking a significant step towards achieving these global objectives while also advancing its own National Development Plan III goals.
The Future of FMNR in Uganda: Challenges and Opportunities
While FMNR offers a promising solution to land degradation, its widespread adoption faces several challenges. These include a lack of awareness among farmers, limited access to resources, and the need for supportive policies and incentives. However, the opportunities presented by FMNR far outweigh these challenges.
To fully realize the potential of FMNR, it is essential to continue raising awareness about its benefits, providing training and resources to farmers, and creating an enabling environment for its adoption. The success of FMNR in Uganda could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges, demonstrating that it is possible to restore degraded landscapes and build a more sustainable future.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Sustainable Land Management
The symposium on landscape restoration at the National Agricultural Showgrounds in Jinja District was a crucial step in addressing Uganda’s land degradation crisis. Through the collaborative efforts of organizations like World Vision Uganda, UNFFE, and the FMNR Network Uganda, the country is on a path to restoring its degraded landscapes and securing a more sustainable future for its people.
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration is more than just a farming practice; it is a movement towards reclaiming the environment, enhancing agricultural productivity, and ensuring the resilience of communities in the face of climate change. The time to act is now, and FMNR provides a powerful tool for Uganda to meet its restoration goals and contribute to global efforts to protect our planet for future generations.
