CommonGround Project Transforms Kigezi Highlands through Sustainable Farming & Community Empowerment

Описание: Common Ground Project Transforms Kigezi - Uganda Highlands through Sustainable Farming and Community Empowerment.

In the lush highlands of Uganda, a transformative initiative known as the Common Ground Project is making significant strides in improving the lives of over 150,000 smallholder farmer households. Launched in 2022 and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda, the four-year project aims to create sustainable farming systems, restore watersheds, and enhance marketing opportunities in the Rwenzori, Kigezi, and Elgon regions.

Implemented by Integrated Seed and Sector Development (ISSD) and Wageningen Environmental Research, the project is grounded on three key pathways: building resilient farming systems, restoring watersheds, and improving market access for farmers.

In the Kigezi sub-region, the project has been particularly impactful. Local communities have embraced sustainable practices with vigor, engaging in activities such as road maintenance, trench digging to control soil erosion, planting grass bands along steep slopes, and constructing stone bands to restore degraded sites. These efforts have not only improved agricultural productivity but also contributed to environmental conservation.

"Through the guidance of the Common Ground Project, we have adopted sustainable farming practices and learned how to protect our land from erosion," said George Gashiringi, a local farmer from Kisoro. "Our yields have increased, and we now have better access to markets, which has significantly improved our livelihoods."

Central to the project's success is the Participatory Integrated Plan (PIP) approach, a gender-inclusive process involving vision building and action planning at the household level. This approach empowers farmers to establish resilient farming systems tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

"The PIP approach is revolutionary," said Francis Muhanguzi, the Regional Project Coordinator for Kigezi. "By involving the community in every step, from planning to implementation, the solutions are tailored to their specific needs and challenges."

Capacity building through farmer-to-farmer knowledge transfer has also been integral to the project's achievements. Communities are scaling out integrated land and farm management practices, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Additionally, the project has significantly improved marketing opportunities for farmers. By enhancing access to markets, farmers can sell their produce at better prices, increasing their income and improving their overall livelihoods.

Henry Tumwesigye, the Kabale district natural resources officer, commented on the project's environmental impact. "The project's emphasis on sustainable practices has significantly contributed to the preservation and improvement of the local environment," he said.

As the Common Ground Project looks towards 2026 and beyond, the highlands of Uganda stand as a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision and purpose. The project continues to inspire resilience, sustainability, and prosperity in the region.

The Common Ground Project operates in the three districts of Kabale, Rubanda, and Kisoro within the Kigezi sub-region, involving activities such as community road maintenance, fine-tuning the PIP approach, planting grasses to stabilize hills, digging trenches, and initiating income-generating activities like poultry farming and small businesses.

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Nobert Ndyamuhakyi