Participatory watershed restoration and beekeeping project

Kickstart Foundation Uganda began this work after witnessing frequent land degradation in Kasese District affecting biodiversity. Working directly with smallholder farmers aged 14 to 45 years, we enable communities to protect the environment, boost livelihoods, and promote gender equality to create a self-empowered and resilient community.

Forest clearing and unsustainable farming practices are exacerbating soil and habitat degradation on the Namuhunga terrain, weakening water retention and increasing flood frequency. Since 2013, floods have claimed 50 lives in Kasese District.

This project will engage 100 smallholder farmers to restore 20 hectares through agroforestry by planting 10,000 seedlings of native trees (guriveria, albizia) and Arabica coffee (SL 28 varieties) for nitrogen fixing, soil stabilization, improved water retention, and habitat restoration. We will introduce beekeeping (25 hives) to 20 women as a conservation-based livelihood with training in apiculture principles and product marketing. A community tree and coffee nursery will raise 10,000 seedlings.

Objectives:

• Restore 30 hectares through agroforestry by project end
• Improve household livelihood by 40% through coffee and bee product sales

We will recruit 200 farmers, establish a community tree nursery raising 7,000 seedlings, establish one apiary site with 20 hives, and conduct training on tree spacing. Twenty women and youth will receive training on apiary management, honey harvesting, and marketing. Monthly and annual monitoring will occur in collaboration with stakeholders.