🌱 Transforming towards #sustainableagriculture with goat farming in Uganda 🌱
During a recent visit to Uganda, we had the privilege of meeting the incredible families supported by Forestbase in their sustainable farming efforts. Goat farming has emerged as a transformative initiative, empowering local communities to achieve food security, improve livelihoods, and enhance environmental sustainability.
We are especially thankful to Remy Schiffeleers for his invaluable insights into improving farming practices. Remy has spent many years traveling across Africa, tirelessly promoting sustainable farming through his hands-on approach. His motto, “Close the loop!”, emphasizes creating self-sustaining systems by:
• Preventing goats from free grazing, which can lead to deforestation by consuming everything from grass to young trees. By keeping goats in large, enclosed pens with limited outdoor runs and feeding them farm-grown crops (cf. picture), land degradation is avoided.
• Using goat manure to naturally enhance soil fertility, which supports the growth of fruits, vegetables, and other crops.
Goats are low-maintenance and resilient, making them an ideal livestock choice in regions impacted by climate variability. Through managed farming, they help prevent overgrazing and foster sustainable land use. This approach not only generates income for families through meat, milk, and byproducts but also promotes a circular, sustainable economy.
The key objective of our visit to Uganda was to explore reforestation opportunities. Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change, leading to migration as people seek food security. However, challenges such as transparency and governance issues hinder our ability to implement projects that align with the high standards expected by us and our partners. Despite these obstacles, we remain optimistic and are actively looking for future opportunities to support sustainable initiatives in the region.
Together, we can make a positive impact! 🌍🌱
