Uganda, Trees for global Benefits

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Over 90 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions, in terms of annual flows of Carbon, are from the land use sector in Uganda. This is from deforestation, energy (charcoal and fuelwood), and timber. Terrestrial land use change initiatives are therefore very effective in climate change avoidance.

Location

The project works with communities in the rural areas of the Bushenyi District, South-West Uganda. The project area lies approximately between 671003 M East and 324000 M North (UTM coordinate system). The topography is undulating with broad ridge tops and generally small valleys around central Bushenyi, but more steeply sloping in the southern and northern parts. The altitude ranges from 910 to 1950 m.a.s.l.

Soils

The predominant soil types are yellowish brown sandy clay loams developed from phyllite, schists, and gneisses rocks. Black sandy loams developed from volcanic ash and rift valley sediments are a common occurrence towards the North and Northwestern part of the District (Harrop, 1960). The FAO classification characterises these soils as predominantly feralsols and acrisols. Soil productivity is largely characterised as medium, owing to good soil depth, structure and inherent soil fertility.

Climate

Bushenyi District has a climate characterised by mean annual rainfall of 1200 mm, which occurs in a bimodal pattern. Mean minimum and mean maximum temperatures are 14 and 26oC, respectively. These climatic conditions are favourable for cultivation of the land.

Land Use

The main land use/land cover systems are farmland (80%), woodland (12%), and grassland (5%). Bushenyi is mainly under cultivation in small land holdings typically of 1 - 4 hectares. Banana production dominates the use of the cropped land (81%), followed by bean (4%), maize (4%), sweet potato (4%), finger millet (3%) and sorghum (2%) as the main food crops. Tea, coffee (both robusta and arabica) as well as cotton and Irish potato are the dominant cash crops. Dairy livestock is also a dominant farming system.

Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is ranked 150th country in the world, in the Human Development Index in the Human Development Report of 2002, which takes into account health, education and income. According to World Bank Development indicators, in 2005 the life expectancy at birth was 48.9 years and the mortality rate 80.2 per 1000 live births.

Status

Pilot project. It is open for investment and the limited direct purchase of credits.

Carbon offset potential

Approximately 50 000 tCO2/yr

Description

Small scale land holders are involved in Trees for global Benefit, and systems implemented are designed to provide opportunities for farmers to use their land in a profitable mannar (woodlots), or to place it under less intensive management (reforestation).

Development

Since it was set up in 2003 this project has undergone a pilot phase of limited offset sales, whilst management systems were put in place, and procedures were tested. The project is now looking to expand into new communities and local field officers are currently setting up training for newly recruited farmers in these new regions.

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