Rural Resource Centres (RRCs) are community-managed centres that offer farmers access to knowledge, quality planting material, interactive learning and linkage to networks among farmers, private sector, NGOs, and government departments. Given the importance of RRCs in delivering agroforestry technologies to farmers and other stakeholders, the Trees for Food Security Project (TFSP) implemented by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), with funding from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has established a centre in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda.Building on a previously existing structure of the lead partner NaFORRI, a Rural Resource Centre (RRC) was initiated and completed with funding from the ACIAR, becoming operational in October 2015. On the other hand, NaFORRI have offered technicians to train farmers and nursery attendants to support seedlings production; nursery maintenance, establishment of demonstration plots and long term tree trials on behalf of the local community.ICRAF role covers technical back-stopping on seed and seedlings acquisition and delivery. ICRAF has also posted interns and volunteers at the RRC to work directly with the local communities. The RRC has installed facilities such as, a tree nursery, shaded area (with shade nets), propagators for grafting and budding, seed stands, a resource centre with a training room, three offices and separate store for seeds and equipment.
Publication year
2016
Authors
Okia, C.; Buyinza, J.; Agaba, H.; Kiptot, E.; Muthuri, C.W.; Carsan, S.
Language
English
Keywords
rural communities, agroforestry technologies, rural resource centres, rural farmers, information dissemination, advisory services
Geographic
Uganda
