SPGS promotes "profitable and productive forest plantation businesses".  We recognise that the private sector will play the major role in developing and managing commercial forest plantations. This may either be through large-scale industrial plantations on government or private land, or through small-scale plantations on farms. 

SPGS Associations

Individual farmers may group together as a legally defined entity and apply for an SPGS grant - provided the other conditions are met. Currently SPGS has one of such associations: the Kamusiime Memorial Rural Development Association Pilot Scheme (in Bushenyi) which is an amalgamation of various small holders who have pooled their land and other resources together to meet the required SPGS minimum entry standards.

SPGS Community Planting

The SPGS also selectively supports smaller communities in Luwero, Rakai, Hoima, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Gulu, Kiboga, Nakasongola, Mukono, Mbarara, Apac and Mbale through the provision of quality seedlings. Such communities make their requests six months in advance to particular planting season. This is followed by sites visitation by one of the SPGS staff to advise on what species to plant. Thereafter they undertake to prepare the land and seedlings are delivered, when land preparation has been completed.

Why Community Seedling Support?

Besides the large scale planters (25ha+) who take the bigger share of SPGS support, community planters are increasingly proving that they too can promote profitable and productive forest plantation business at a small -scale.  SPGS community planting support is an initiative that started in late 2005 and in this initiative SPGS provides free quality planting material to target tree planting communities. Priority is given to communities planting near SPGS commercial planters for logistical reasons.

• To allow households to have forest produce of their own within a short distance, for personal use and / or sale.
  Over 94% of households in the country use fuel-wood for cooking and other activities in homes.

• The main aim was to enable communities have an alternative source of timber/poles in order to save the remaining natural forests.

• Also important was a need to build up a skilled human resource base around the commercial planters so the two can work in partnership.

• This support has attracted enormous interest among the communities. To-date, we have covered  34 communities in 22 Districts spread throughout the country. Some of them are:

• By May 2009, we had supplied over 680,000 seedlings to 34 communities in 22 Districts. Assuming 80% survival, this translates to about 450 ha planted. 


• While the supported communities wish to expand on their planting, fresh applications for similar support continue to flow in.


• By August 2009, 69 new applications from 29 Districts including Lira, Amuria, Kibaale, Kabale, Kyenjojo and Kasese among others had been received.


• SPGS is looking at ways to improve and expand the Community Initiative in the upcoming Phase II.
  

But how does SPGS Community Initiative work?

• For the rural communities that have small pieces of land (up to 5ha per individual) and are interested in tree planting, SPGS provides high quality seedlings and technical advice. There is NO cash given for establishing and maintaining trees. 
  

•  We define a community as a group of twenty or more people within the same village (LC.1) who have interest in tree planting business.
• Once a community has applied, a visit by SPGS team to appraise the community is organised.
  
• Successful communities are then trained in tree planting and supplied with seedlings at the beginning of the rain season.
  
• SPGS staff in collaboration with community leaders then continue organising regular visits to communities to offer on - spot technical advice and training in proper maintenance practices .

And what in return does the SPGS expect from a community?

• The community must prepare the area for planting well (and on time),


• Planting all given seedlings immediately and thereafter promptly weed and protect trees from fire, animals and thieves.


• Only sell trees when the best market offer comes - preferably at maturity. 

• Apply to the SPGS six months in advance of intended planting season to allow for upfront booking of seedlings and training of the community.


• Taungya (mixing of trees and food crops) may be practiced with trees other than Eucalyptus. However, the right method and crops must be used!


• At least 80% of trees planted should survive. Replacement of dead ones should be within same planting season for uniform growth.

What are the challenges observed so far?

• Choice of Species: Most community planters would prefer to plant trees that mature fast and give  a quick return like Eucalyptus. However, not all sites are suitable for this species.
  


• Small SPGS staff: Existing staff may not match with the ever increasing demands for expansion,and SPGS is looking to expand on its staffing in the upcoming Phase II.
  


• Competing interests. For those depending on family labour alone, food crops normally take first priority over trees when it comes to planting & weeding.

To learn more about the SPGS community tree planting initiative please see the Community Guideline here

We are currently looking at ways of expanding and improving our Community Support initaitive in the next Phase of the SPGS. Any contributions and ideas towards this are very welcome.