World Vision, Pader district promotes FMNR project for environmental restoration

23 May 2026, 9:28 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Stakeholders in Pader District have emphasized the need to sustain Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), strengthen environmental restoration efforts, and explore carbon financing opportunities as pathways to sustainable livelihoods.

The call was made during an exposure and learning visit organized by World Vision in partnership with Pader District Local Government on May 19, 2026, at Ojile Village, Palwo Parish, Paiula Sub-county, at the home of one of the FMNR champion farmers, as World Vision refers to model farmers practicing the initiative.

The visit brought together district leaders, technical officers, project staff, and community members to learn practical lessons from successful FMNR practices and discuss ways of expanding environmental restoration across the district.

Speaking during the visit, Martine Okello, the District Forestry Officer for Pader, emphasized the need to sustain the FMNR initiative beyond project support, saying the innovation should continue alongside tree planting efforts.

He said sustainable environmental management remains critical because communities depend on trees for livelihoods and environmental benefits, including emerging opportunities in carbon financing.

Okello described FMNR as one of the most cost-effective restoration approaches because it relies on naturally regenerating vegetation.

Meanwhile, Simon Olanya Kadi, the FMNR Project Officer at World Vision, stressed the importance of community ownership if the initiative is to succeed beyond donor support.

He noted that the learning visit was intended to create practical interaction among farmers, local leaders, and stakeholders so communities can learn directly from successful model farmers already practicing FMNR.

Kadi acknowledged that environmental degradation and destruction of regenerating vegetation remain challenges in some areas and called for collective responsibility and awareness to address the problem.

Also speaking during the visit, Sarah Aluko explained the origin of FMNR, describing it as a globally recognized restoration approach pioneered by Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo in Niger after repeated failures in conventional tree planting.

According to Aluko, the approach encourages communities to protect and manage naturally regenerating tree stumps and shoots instead of relying entirely on planting new trees.

She added that World Vision adopted the model in Uganda around 2013 in response to climate change and environmental degradation, first piloting it in areas such as Nakasongola before expanding to Northern and Eastern Uganda following positive results.

Speaking on behalf of government, Augustine Omongin, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Pader, urged communities to make productive use of land through environmental conservation and tree growing.

He encouraged farmers with large pieces of land to embrace tree growing and commercial farming while discouraging land conflicts that hinder development.

The Deputy RDC also commended the FMNR initiative, saying wider adoption could transform livelihoods and improve environmental conservation in the district.

At the community level, champion farmers shared experiences on how FMNR has transformed land use and livelihoods.

David Oringa, a resident of Ojile Village in Palwo Parish, Paiula Sub-county, said land should be divided into three sections for effective management — grazing land for livestock, crop farming, and forestry.

Oringa explained that integrated land use under FMNR can generate multiple income streams. He cited apiculture as one example, saying beekeeping within regenerated forests provides opportunities for higher earnings through honey production.

He also said he rears pigs on grazing land, reducing expenditure on animal feeds because available vegetation and weeds supplement feeding.

Oringa, who said he knows 31 tree species on his land by name, revealed plans to introduce passion fruit growing within the regenerated forest as part of diversifying income while continuing restoration efforts.

However, some champion farmers highlighted challenges affecting FMNR implementation.

Richard Opiyo from Lamogi Parish in Pauli Sub-county reported cases of destruction of regenerated forests by community members seeking firewood, particularly during the dry season.

Opiyo called for joint discussions involving stakeholders and community members to increase awareness of FMNR benefits and encourage wider adoption for environmental conservation.

Another champion farmer, Patrick Olara from Ogago Parish in Paiula Sub-county, said some community members remain reluctant to allow parts of their land to regenerate into forests, often questioning how conservation efforts will directly benefit them.

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration is a low-cost, community-led land restoration technique in which farmers identify, prune, and protect existing tree stumps, roots, and naturally regenerated seedlings instead of planting new trees.

In Pader District, FMNR is currently being practiced in the sub-counties of Paiula and Pader.