Fostering nature-based enterprise in the Albertine Rift of Uganda
Western Uganda lies on the Great Rift Valley system that runs along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is a natural system of lakes and wetlands including salty crater lakes and large freshwater masses such as Lake Albert. For this reason, the Uganda Rift Valley has earned its name: the ‘Albertine Rift.’
A farmer at Bitekero, Western Uganda.
The Albertine Rift rises from an altitude of 700 metres to a peak of 5,000 metres in the Rwenzori Mountains. It is a nature paradise for animals, birds and fish. Birdlife International has classified it as an Endemic Bird Area. The region is a biodiversity hotspot and a Priority Eco-Region as per Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund classification systems.
Amidst this natural splendour, there is a quiet clash over the sustainable use of ecological resources. PRESA partners are investigating how rewards for environmental services can resolve this conflict. The development of reward mechanisms requires a full understanding of the ecosystem services in question, potential buyers, intermediaries and suppliers, institutional arrangements and the policy environment.
An ecosystem in danger
Rising demand for agricultural produce, land, timber and water is putting pressure on Albertine Rift natural resources. Deforestation is increasing, and some plant and animal species are already threatened with extinction.
In Uganda, the concept of payment for environmental services is nascent, with some experience gained from the Trees for Carbon project. This carbon project was established by facilitating farmers to plant and care for trees and earning carbon credit funds. Despite this experience, PRESA has noted the absence of well-organized and piloted reward mechanisms in Uganda due to unclear policy and institutional arrangements.
The private sector is not fully participating in ongoing reward for environmental services initiatives. There is a shortage of a critical mass of expertise in recognized tools and methods for assessing, designing and implementing reward schemes.
To address these challenges, PRESA has partnered with Ecotrust Uganda and Nature Harness Initiatives (NAHI). The two local organizations are helping communities adopt sustainable land use practices and to benefit from stronger links to markets. Apart from furthering the benefits of the carbon project, PRESA will explore mechanisms that will promote ecosystem management of watershed and biodiversity services by communities adjacent to conservation areas.
Opportunities and challenges for PRESA
Ecotrust and carbon farming in Western Uganda
Ecotrust facilitates the negotiation of carbon payments that encourage farmers to plant trees. Carbon funds are provided by companies wishing to offset their greenhouse gas emissions through afforestation and reforestation programmes.
Growing trees is providing new incomes for households. Not only do trees protect land from erosion but they provide fruits, wood fuel and construction poles. Other benefits include fodder, seeds, windbreak, shade, and manure. Certain tree species such as Prunus africana have medicinal qualities.
Ecotrust is in the process of establishing a Carbon Community Fund to support the expansion of carbon benefits to other communities. The fund will address issues of common concern while financially supporting an array of mechanisms.
The work of Nature Harness Initiatives in the Albertine Rift
Nature Harness Initiatives (NAHI) helps women groups produce hand-woven baskets and sell them in lucrative overseas markets. The baskets are made from wetland reeds and fibres. Additional household income from ecolabelled baskets is likely to motivate communities into ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials for basket making, thereby conserving the wetland.
NAHI has noted a significant potential for expanding rewards for environmental services to include ecolabelling. Ecolabelling is a form of rewards for environmental services where an extra charge on an artifact is ploughed back into maintaining and restoring the ecosystem services that produced its raw material.
Next steps in Uganda
With assistance from PRESA, Ecotrust is conducting a preliminary survey on the development of appropriate reward mechanisms in several landscapes in the Albertine Rift. NAHI is also conducting a similar survey in the Rushebeya-Kanyabaha wetland landscape (Kabale District) and the Wambabya riverline forest system (Hoima District).
In the Wambabya riverine forest system, NAHI has started working with private sector firms to aid in developing plans for managing and offsetting their biodiversity footprint.
Researchers working closely with PRESA are assessing the socioeconomic impact of community carbon projects. Further research is geared towards analysing the potential for agroforestry systems – such as coffee and fruit trees – to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.