The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Board of Directors has conducted an inspection of the Elgon Project to assess progress and strengthen their understanding of ongoing initiatives in the Mt. Elgon subregion.

About the Elgon Project

The Elgon Project is being implemented across 38 sub-counties in Bududa, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween, Manafwa, Mbale, Namisindwa, and Sironko districts. Its primary goal is to conserve ecosystems that provide essential goods and services for rural livelihoods and food security in the Mt. Elgon landscape.

Key Achievements

• Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices, including on-farm diversification to strengthen food crop value chains.
• Increased adoption of sustainable coffee and staple crop production practices.
• Expansion of integrated agroforestry and community conservation enterprises.
• Raising of 430,000 assorted tree seedlings and 100,000 bamboo seedlings, with 220,000 tree seedlings and 12,000 bamboo distributed to partners for restoration of degraded forests, wetlands, and riverbanks.

Impact on Local Cooperatives

Bushika Integrated Area Cooperative Enterprise has seen significant growth through NEMA’s support:

• Membership increased from 1,889 coffee farmers (586 women, 1,303 men) to 2,215 farmers (731 women, 1,484 men).
• Acreage under coffee production expanded from 1,889 acres to 2,215 acres.
• Adoption of sustainable coffee production standards has improved quality control and record keeping.

Kalaa Mugosi Women Empowerment Ltd, based in Busiita Village, Sironko District, welcomed the inspection team with jubilations and dance. The cooperative has grown from 1,006 farmers in 35 groups to supporting 3,000 farmers in Sironko and Bulambuli districts, with a vision to reach 15,000 farmers by the end of the project.

Looking Ahead

The Elgon Project, funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), continues to promote an Integrated Landscape Management Approach for the conservation of the Mt. Elgon ecosystem. Communities across the subregion have expressed satisfaction with the project’s impact on livelihoods, food security, and environmental restoration.