Growing Trees and Livelihoods: How Intercropping is Benefitting Nankwanga’s Family and the Community
In Mutumba Subcounty, Namayingo District, Uganda, deforestation driven by charcoal burning and timber logging has severely degraded the environment, making the area increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Recognizing this challenge, Namayingo United Women Group (NUWOG) with support from the Women International Peace Centre and Global Fund for Women launched the “Empowering Communities Against Climate Change” project, an initiative which aims to restore the environment through the planting of trees focusing on empowering women to participate in environmental conservation.
Baker Nankwanga, a 47year old mother of 7 is one of the beneficiaries of the tree planting project in Mutumba Sub county having received over 500 tree seedlings planted on her land. Nankwanga’s family, like many others in the area, was primarily dependent on fishing as their source of livelihood. However, with the recent government restrictions on fishermen without proper fishing gears, many including her husband have been left out of jobs. Faced with economic uncertainty, Nankwanga was left with the burden to support her family.
When NUWOG introduced the tree-planting project, Nankwanga who was identified as a suitable beneficiary saw it as an opportunity not only to contribute to environmental restoration but also to improve her family’s wellbeing and with her husband’s support, she used an acre of their family land to plant the pine trees provided by the project.
As the trees have grown for over two months now, Nankwanga has adopted intercropping to ensure they are properly cared for. She plants vegetables such as green peppers and collard greens (Sukuma Wiki) alongside the young trees, which she is able to harvest, eat and sell when ready. To her, this is a way that helps her not to forget about the trees.
Without putting the green peppers in the trees, i feared i might become reluctant in watering them, and they would end up drying up. By planting vegetables, i ammotivated to water, weed, spray and monitor the trees regularly, ensuring they grow well. Nankwanga shares her motivation for intercropping.
Understanding that the trees will take four to five years to mature, Nankwanga saw an opportunity to utilise the land more effectively by growing these vegetables. This innovative solution not only provides an income while waiting for the trees to mature but also enhances soil health and maximises land use. She has also been able to share with her neighbours some of the vegetables.
Stephen Odong, a climate change volunteer at NUWOG and an expert in tree species, explains the strategy behind the tree-planting efforts:
When we set out to plant trees, we prioritized species with the ability to coppice. These trees can regrow after being cut, which allows the community to use them sustainably for wood or charcoal while maintaining their environmental benefits.– Odong said
This careful selection of tree species ensures that the trees provide both immediate and long-term benefits for families like Nankwanga’s.
Despite facing challenges such as low rainfall, Nankwanga, with the support of her husband, has manually watered the trees to keep them healthy. Her efforts have paid off, and the trees are growing steadily.
Looking ahead, Nankwanga is hopeful. She looks forward to selling the trees after they have matured for timber, charcoal which will help her send her children to school and meet their needs.
