Sustainable conservation and utilization of Agro-biodiversity in agricultural landscapes in Eastern Uganda

Lead Organization:

National Agricultural Research Organization

Partner Organizations:

National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI); Busitema University; Ateker Transformation and Sustainability Initiatives (ATSI); Popular Knowledge Women's Initiative (P'KWI); CERDI; Extension Department of the Ministry of Agriculture; FRN-NGOs, led by Oju David; PKWI-FRN, led by Norah Asiyo Ebukalin

Community of Practice:

East & Southern Africa

Countries:

Uganda

Duration:

11/2024—11/2027

Overview:

This project aims to improve the productivity and resilience of smallholder farms in Eastern Uganda by focusing on the conservation and utilization of agro-biodiversity. The project seeks to address challenges posed by climate change, low productivity, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. By promoting the conservation of indigenous crops and sustainable farming practices, the project aims to empower farmers to enhance food security and climate resilience in vulnerable regions of Uganda. A key component is the development of a community-based seed delivery model to improve access to quality seeds and empower farmers to conserve and market local crop varieties.

Grant Aims:

  • Conserve and utilize agro-biodiversity for improved food security and climate resilience.
  • Improve the productivity of smallholder farms in Eastern Uganda through sustainable practices.
  • Enhance access to quality seed and empower farmers to conserve and exchange local crop varieties.
  • Develop and promote agro-ecologically viable farming practices for increased farm productivity and resilience.
  • Build human capital by enhancing the capacity of farming communities and stakeholders to manage and conserve crop genetic resources.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs

  • Output 1.1: A diverse base of adapted plant genetic resources for target crops conserved.
  • Output 1.2: A catalogue of diverse nutrient-rich crop genotypes developed.
  • Output 1.3: Rights, practices, and traditions related to seed access and exchange documented through a participatory rural appraisal.
  • Output 1.4: Highly adapted, nutritionally rich, and high-yielding crop varieties developed through on-station and on-farm participatory variety evaluation.
  • Output 2.1: Community-based seed banks established using a Cluster Granary Seed Conservation and Delivery model.
  • Output 2.2: Efficient seed delivery scheme established for maintaining and multiplying genotypes among farming communities.
  • Output 3.1: Sustainable practices for enhancing farm productivity and resilience identified and validated through co-design and co-evaluation with farmers.
  • Output 3.2: Viable agro-ecological practices co-created and promoted for wide adaptation and adoption by farming communities.
  • Output 4.1: Capacity of farming communities, postgraduate students, and other stakeholders enhanced to manage, conserve, and produce quality seeds.
  • Output 4.2: Diverse dissemination materials (flyers, posters, brochures, audio/video recordings) developed and distributed for learning and awareness.
  • Output 4.3: Participation in regional and national agricultural events, including shows and agro-ecological fairs.

Outcomes

  • Outcome 1: A diverse genetic base of nutrient-rich crop resources (seed and grain) made available to farming communities.
  • Outcome 2: Improved access to quality seeds of diverse genetic resources, contributing to enhanced food and nutrition security.
  • Outcome 3: Communities adopting agro-ecologically viable practices and technologies that improve farm productivity and resilience.
  • Outcome 4: Competent and agro-ecologically receptive human capital and communities established, enhancing seed management, conservation, and agricultural practices.