Conservation of Krokusua Hills forest Reserve

Ceres wants to stop the encroachment of Krokusa Hillas Forest Reserve by organising groups within the 15 communities, sensitising them on the positive value of forest protection by introducing cultivation of a number of NFTPs (mushrooms, honey, snail farming, cutter's grass), rearing of pigs and goats, and agroforestry to counter soil degradation. A number of 150 farmers will be trained in agroforestry, and 100 women and youth in NFTP use and piggery. The reserve is sized 482,160 ha. Fifteen communities with 69,466 inhabitants are located within the support zone. The encroachment is mainly caused by population growth. Research has showed that NTFPs have market opportunities. The local government encourages programmes in support of agro-forestry and income generating activities. Ceres established contacts with the district assembly, the forest service and established a number of groups in the villages. A complicating factor is formed by the villages in conflict with the forest service on the topic of the forest encroachment.

The project has been implemented successfully, and its main results include: Development of a trainer’s manual related to beekeeping; Community forestry committees are established and functional in the 15 communities; Indigenous tree-seedlings for reforestation of degraded sections of the Krokusua Hills Forest Reserve are produced, resulting in reforestation of 350 hectares; Over 200 farmers including youth and women newly engaged in bee-keeping and livestock raising; Farmers noted an increase in crop yields as a result of the project.