IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE 

The problem

Teso is an area that is very fertile and receives adequate rainfall, but it has suffered seriously from the LRA and Karamojong incursions that have caused enormous damage to the economy in the past and a major loss of tree cover and livestock. The improving security situation means that that, in line with the Ugandan economy as a whole, the local economy is recovering.

Reforestation is needed to stem soil erosion, improve local rainfall, provide fruit trees for cash crops and a source of local wood for fuel.

Restocking of livestock is vital to the long term wealth of the Teso people. A good herd of cattle or a large flock of chickens or goats provides a flexible source of wealth to pay school fees or a long term insurance policy

The provision

The Church of Uganda over the last 3 years has promoted tree planting on its own land with TDT aid.

Tree nursery, Soroti

TDT has assisted many individuals with provision of goats and cattle for restocking

The Church of Uganda has a team of agricultural advisors and has promoted training in new agricultural techniques and use of better strains of animals and seed.

The Pentecostal Assemblies of God is developing its own demonstration farm in Soroti to breed quality goats and chickens

The challenges

The development partners in Teso need to encourage enterprise development through:

• Training in skills
• Animal restocking

Much can be done for fairly small investments e.g. 

• A goat costs £10
• A cow costs £80
• A tree costs 75p