2018 MacJannet Prize Winner: Protection of the Environment through Income Generation

LivingStone International University-MacJannet Award project, Wood Fuel Fruit tree Nursery

By Filliam Efiti

Livingstone International University in partnership with Busamaga Women Group have engaged in a strategy to increase community and student’s income through a tree nursery project. This strategy builds upon the MacJannet Prize award winning “Protection of the Environment through Income Generation” program.  The program will engaged students to plant trees that are can be used as food crops. The goal of this strategy is to decrease the number and devastation caused by mudslides. The strategy will also provide a way for students and the community members to sell the fruits that are grown on the trees.

The team comprising of the chairperson Busamaga Women Group, Janet Nabalayo and Rehema Nakyagaba,  and Talloires Network and Community Engagement Coordinator, Filliam Efiti received technical advice from Wanada Jackson, a nursery site expert at Busiu, Mbale. With her advice and approval from Livingstone’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rick Trull, the nursery will be developed on university grounds. The nursery will officially open in the third week of October 2018.  A total of 30 community members, 20 students and 5 staff from the university are currently engaged in this project. The nursery will provide seedlings to the students and community members.