Sustainable agricultural practices, gender equality and climate change adaptation to promote the quality of life of residents in Karagwe and Kyerwa districts.
The project works with farmers, students, teachers, schools and parishes and administrative staff, with 2.071 people (1.058 women and 992 men) are directly involved and a further 6,500 family members are involved indirectly.
The population of the project area lives in the districts of Karagwe and Kyerwa in the border area with Rwanda and Uganda. This border area has to contend with major economic, social and political challenges. The majority of the population lives from subsistence agriculture. Due to a lack of natural and productive resources, harvests are too small to meet the needs of the population. The lack of access to markets, financial services, storage capacity and additional sources of income lead to low household incomes. Inadequate government services in sanitation, health and education increase economic pressure. Women have little say in the household and no ownership.
The Catholic Diocese of Kayanga has 30 years of experience in managing natural resources and promoting sustainable agriculture through its Community Habitat Environmental Management Program (CHEMA). From 2003 to date, the diocese has carried out various projects in agriculture and agro-industry, gender mainstreaming, beekeeping, afforestation and small business promotion.