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A critical success factor for NAADS
Mainstreaming Environment and Natural Resources
NAADS (National Agricultural Advisory Services), one of the seven priority areas in the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA), aims to develop a demand-driven, client-oriented, farmer-led agricultural service delivery system contributing to poverty eradication through transformation of farmers' roles, reform of agricultural advisory services delivery mechanisms, creating options for financing and delivery of appropriate advisory services Cognizant of the importance of natural resources in poverty eradication, economic growth and as the basis of Uganda's agricultural sector, NAADS developed 'The NAADS Natural Resources Strategy'; to ensure that sustainable natural resource management is integrated in its activities.
The strategy is a dynamic document that will be constantly reviewed and updated as the NAADS programme evolves.
We commend NAADS for the efforts put into developing the natural resources strategy and for celebrating five years of existence. As in all policy and operational instruments the outcome and impacts of this action can only be realized through accelerated translation into practical actions on the ground, accountability to the cause through monitoring and supporting beneficiaries to demand services within the ENR framework.
In pursuance of improved livelihoods of vulnerable communities, Environmental Alert (EA) is engaged in influencing policy and practice change within the natural resources and agricultural sectors at both national and local government levels. We believe that without the entrenchment of ENR interests in poverty alleviation programmes the outcomes will be inadequate. EA has been working on integration of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) issues in NAADS programmes for some time and consequently reviewed the NAADS natural resources strategy. Therein exist some challenges enumerated below:
1. Operationalisation of policy framework on ENR in agricultural advisory services; There is a strong policy and legal framework for promoting sustainable natural resource management in agricultural advisory services. However, this framework needs to be put into action.
2. Linkage between poverty, environment and livelihoods is vital. Agricultural advisory services do have significant impacts on natural resources and consequently poverty eradication and economic growth. It is therefore important that these services are well-managed and monitored, in order to ensure that the impact is as sustainable and positive as possible.
3. Definition of natural resources, sustainable natural resources, on-farm and off-farm natural resources for public articulation and understanding. Agriculture does not just mean crops and livestock; it includes forestry, fisheries, soil management etc.
4. Inadequate funding for Environment and Natural Resource (ENR) enterprises within NAADS, which makes service delivery difficult.
An important course of action for key stakeholders (NGOs, Private Sector, Individuals, Government bodies) is to provide support in implementing and monitoring the ENR strategy. In addition, we recommend the following range of strategies that can be used to address natural resource issues throughout the NAADS programme:
i. Popularisation of the NAADS ENR strategy and tools through wider stakeholder dissemination (website, popular versions, fliers and leaflets).
ii. Capacity building of service providers to adequately tackle ENR issues.
iii. Enhancement of planning processes, monitoring and evaluation of impact.
iv. Harmonisation of NAADS with other natural resource management programmes, activities approaches and actors.
v. Increase percentage of ENR budget in relation to overall NAADS budget.
Environmental Alert is dedicated to sustainable natural resource management as a key vehicle to improving livelihoods of resource poor men and women and pledges its full support and collaboration with NAADS as it fulfills its commitments to ensure that sustainable natural resource management is adequately integrated into its activities.
In evaluating the performance of NAADS implementation in relation to integration of ENR, beneficiaries and other stakeholders would participate in monitoring the:
- Number of ENR based projects / enterprises demanded for
- Number of farmers (men and women) practicing sustainable natural resources in their agricultural activities
- Increase in number of sub counties with a prioritized list of natural resource enterprises
- Number of advisory programmes inclusive of ENR
- Service providers whose capacity has been enhanced in ENR issues.
Environmental Alert is a Non Governmental Organization that works to improve community livelihoods through improved
agriculture and natural resources policy and practices. EA operates in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Sironko, Moyo,
Adjuman, Yumbe, Kyenjojo and Mubende. EA works in collaboration with like minded organizations like Food Rights Alliance, Uganda Land Alliance, NGO Forum to consolidate our efforts and enhance understanding of development issues.
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