Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise achieves 25 million tree distribution milestone

Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise achieves 25 million tree distribution milestone

As of 30th June,2024, METGE had planted 25 million seedlings, achieving the ambitious target before 2025 since 2009. The ultimate target is to plant 50 million trees by 2030.

The Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise (METGE) tree planting project, has reached an impressive milestone of raising and distributing 25 million tree seedlings by 2025 in the districts of the greater Mbale and Bukedea. The tree planting project which began in 2009 and being implemented by the Mbale Coalition against Poverty (MCAP) was rebranded in 2017 when METGE was registered as a limited company by guarantee and subsequently transiting as an NGO in December 2020.

METGE was established to help the local community adapt to climate change, to mitigate the effect of climate change, and to improve livelihoods in the Mount Elgon sub-region region and Bukedea. The tree planting Programme has been instrumental in restoring the degraded agricultural landscape and improving livelihoods in the region. The tree planting Programme is mainly funded by the Welsh government through Size of Wales. Other funders include the International Tree Foundation (ITF) and Tree Nation.

Implementation

Working with Bungokho Rural Development Centre (BRDC) and Mount Elgon Agroforestry Communities Cooperative Enterprise (MEACCE) as implementing partners, METGE has set up 24 community nurseries that produce 3.2 million seedlings annually. These nurseries raise a variety of indigenous hard wood, fodder and fruit-bearing tree seedlings, which are distributed freely to households, schools, and community groups. In addition to tree planting, METGE also promotes construction and installation of energy-saving Lorena stoves, beekeeping, sustain- able land management practices, kitchen gardening, and financial inclusion through strengthening village savings and loans associations (VSLAs).

Key Achievements

As of 30th June, METGE has planted 25 million seedlings, achieving the ambitious target before 2025 since 2009. The ultimate target is to plant 50 million trees by 2030. The planted trees are multi-purpose including preventing soil erosion, enhancing water retention, and providing shade and fruits, which contribute to environmental integrity and food security. For instance; the promotion of sustainable land management (SLM) practices have led to control of water and soil erosion as well as improvement in soil quality and subsequently land productivity.

One of METGE\’s most remarkable features is its emphasis on community Involvement. Local farmers, who are the backbone of this initiative, receive training in SLM, nursery management, and tree planting techniques. This knowledge transfer empowers them to become stewards of their land and advocates for environmental conservation.

Promoting Beekeeping and Energy Efficiency

METGE has trained 30 groups to manage apiaries with a capacity of over 1,000 beehives. This has significantly increased honey production, which has increased from 100 kg in FY 2021-2022 to 3.4 tones in FY 2022-2023 and 7.8 tones in FY 2023-24. The recent harvest enabled farmers to earn about UGX 100 million. Other benefits of beekeeping includes support to pollination and biodiversity, further enhancing the region\’s ecological health.

For energy-efficient technologies, METGE has supported over 4,000 households in building cost-effective and eco-friendly Lorena stoves. These stoves have an efficiency of over 60% compared to traditional three cook stone stoves, saving approximately 4,049,496 kg of fuel wood. The stoves reduce wood consumption and indoor air pollution subsequently leading to reduced deforestation and improved health, respectively

Women have played a pivotal role in the tree planting program. Traditionally marginalized, they are now at the forefront of tree planting and nursery management. Out of 35 Tree Nursery Operators (TNBOs), 17 are women. Their active participation promotes gender equality and ensures the sustainability of the project, as women often manage household resources.

Joyce Kimono, the Gender and safe guarding officer, emphasized the importance of women\’s involvement: \”Through tree planting, we have spread the message of gender equality. Women have been involved through village savings groups, and now they understand their roles better. Their participation ensures the projects sustain- ability.\”

Captain Davis Manana, Director of Bungokho Rural Development Centre, highlighted the transformative impact of METGE: \”There was deforestation in the Mount Elgon forest region, leading to consistent landslides. Now, many areas are covered with trees.\”

He mentioned that planting fruit trees has alleviated hunger: \”We have planted many fruit trees in schools, and people are now earning money by selling the produce. Additionally, nitrogen-fixing trees have improved soil fertility and water conservation.\” He also pointed out the role of Lorena stoves in reducing deforestation: \”Lorena stoves have decreased firewood consumption and deforestation. People\’s attitudes towards trees have changed; they now grow and plant more trees, earning money through carbon credits.\”

Yusuf Makabuli, an extension officer and cluster manager in Bukedea and Sironko, observation on people’s attitude: \”Awareness campaigns have made people understand the importance of tree planting. Certain bird species that had disappeared have returned. People can now harvest timber for firewood and construction.\” Further, Mr. Makabuli noted the increase in indigenous trees: \”Indigenous trees have increased, and people recognize the importance of beekeeping and secondary benefits like improved land fertility’’.

Challenges and Future Plans

Despite these successes, Makabuli highlighted ongoing challenges: \”Urbanization that poses a threat as trees are cut down prematurely not only for timber but also firing bricks. We need to advocate for urban tree planting to ensure replacement and compensation.\” He added, \”Land fragmentation is another issue, prompting METGE to encourage sustainable agriculture practices.\”

Jonathan Masette, a project officer at Bungokho Rural Development Centre, emphasized the importance of METGE\’s achievements: \”When we started, we were distributing not only hard wood indigenous tree species, but also fruit and fodder trees. Now, these trees are providing food and income.\” He also noted the social impact of planting trees: \”The tree planting initiative has created unity and improved livelihoods in communities.\”

Conclusion

METGE has already achieved its target of raising, distributing, and planting 25 million seedlings by 2025. The ambitious goal of planting 50 million trees by 2030, combined with sustainable livelihood initiatives, is a powerful testament to the potential of community-driven environmental stewardship. By aligning the goals of ecological restoration and socio-economic transformation, METGE demonstrates that through a shared vision and collective action, land can be restored, and communities can benefit from resilient livelihoods and adaptation in the greater districts of Mbale and Bukedea.

The impact of METGE\’s work extends beyond tree planting, fostering a deeper connection between the community and the environment, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring a brighter future for the Mount Elgon region.