Project Proposal: Sustainable Soil Health for Enhanced Livelihoods.
1.Project Title: Sustainable Soil Health for Enhanced Livelihoods in Muni
University community Arua City, Northern Region, Uganda]
2. Project Goal: To improve food security and household incomes for
smallholder farmers in Arua City through the adoption of sustainable soil
management practices.
3. Background: Smallholder farmers in Muni community are experiencing
declining crop yields and food insecurity due to widespread soil nutrient
depletion. This is primarily caused by unsustainable farming practices
(continuous cropping, monocropping, limited use of organic inputs),
soil erosion, and limited access to knowledge and affordable
sustainable inputs. The long-term consequences include increased
poverty, environmental degradation, and reduced agricultural productivity,
threatening the livelihoods of vulnerable farming communities.
4. Target Beneficiaries: Approximately 200 smallholder farming
households in Oluko Sub- County ocholini Village, who are highly dependent
on agriculture and experiencing soil degradation. The project will prioritize
women and youth farmers.
5. Project Objectives:
1. To increase the knowledge and skills of target farmers in sustainable
soil management practices.
2. To facilitate the adoption of at least three sustainable soil management
practices by of target farmers.
3. To demonstrate an average increase in crop yields for participating
farmers.
4. To establish and strengthen community-based mechanisms for
knowledge sharing and input access related to soil health.
6. Project Activities:
Component 1: Capacity Building and Training:
Conduct baseline survey to assess current soil management
practices and knowledge levels.
Develop training modules on sustainable soil management,
including:
Composting and organic manure application
Crop rotation and intercropping
Agroforestry (e.g., planting leguminous trees)
Conservation tillage techniques
Contour plowing and terracing for erosion control
Integrated pest and nutrient management
Establish farmer field schools (FFS) and demonstration plots.
Organize practical hands-on training sessions and farmer-to-
farmer exchanges.
Develop and disseminate accessible information materials (e.g.,
brochures, radio programs).
Component 2: Facilitating Access to Inputs and Technology:
Link farmers to affordable sources of improved seeds and
appropriate tools.
Support the establishment of community composting sites.
Explore and facilitate access to micro-finance for investment in
soil health inputs (e.g., improved seeds, small tools).
Promote the use of locally available resources for soil fertility
(e.g., green manure crops).
Component 3: On-Farm Implementation and Monitoring:
Provide technical backstopping and follow-up support to farmers
adopting new practices.
Regularly monitor soil health indicators (e.g., organic matter, pH,
nutrient levels) on demonstration plots and selected farmer
fields.
Monitor crop yields and income levels of participating farmers.
Document success stories and lessons learned.
Component 4: Partnerships and Advocacy:
Establish partnerships with local government agricultural
extension services, research institutions, and NGOs.
Engage with local leaders to promote sustainable land
management policies.
Facilitate knowledge sharing forums and workshops.
Inputs:
I. Agricultural trainers
II. Training materials and tools
III. Funding
7. Expected Outcomes:
Increased adoption of sustainable soil management practices by
smallholder farmers.
Improved soil fertility and reduced soil degradation.
Higher crop yields and improved food security at the household level.
Increased household incomes from agriculture.
Enhanced resilience of farming systems to climate change impacts.
Strengthened farmer organizations and community-led initiatives for
soil health.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: The project will implement a robust M&E
framework, including:
Baseline and end-line surveys to measure changes in knowledge,
practices, and yields.
Regular field visits and progress tracking.
Collection of quantitative data on yields, income, and input use.
Qualitative data collection through focus group discussions and farmer
interviews.
Annual project reviews and a final evaluation.
9. Project Duration: 48 months]
10. Budget (Estimated): [A detailed budget was developed with line items
for personnel, training materials, demonstrations, inputs, M&E,
administration.]
11. Sustainability Plan:
Training of local extension workers and community facilitators to
ensure continued knowledge transfer.
Development of farmer-led soil health groups that can continue to
share knowledge and resources.
Promotion of cost-effective and locally available solutions to reduce
reliance on external inputs.
Integration of project activities into existing local government
agricultural plans where possible.
Advocacy for supportive policies and land tenure security.
12. Key Assumptions and Risks:
Assumptions:
o Farmers are willing and able to adopt new practices.
o Favorable weather conditions for agricultural production.
o Local government and community leaders support the project.
o Market access for increased produce remains stable.
Risks:
o Resistance to change from traditional farming methods.
o Climate variability (e.g., prolonged droughts, floods).
o Insecurity or conflict in the target area.
o Fluctuations in input prices or market demand.
o Mitigation strategies would be developed for each identified risk.
