Community‑led forests, beekeeping & biogas
Soldecom Agro works with village natural resource committees and local authorities to strengthen community stewardship of Ushetu’s remnant forests and woodlands. The programme combines participatory forest management with practical alternatives to deforestation: beekeeping in forest reserves, aquaculture in small community ponds, and the adoption of biogas systems to replace firewood. Each component is designed to generate tangible income while reducing pressure on woody biomass.
Forest conservation, beekeeping, biogas & aquaculture
Community‑led conservation Ushetu’s village land use plans demarcate forest reserves under joint management. Local communities carry out patrolling, assisted natural regeneration, and enrichment planting. Carbon revenues from avoided deforestation flow back into village development funds.
Beekeeping & honey Traditional and modern hives are placed along forest edges. Training in post‑harvest handling and collective marketing turns honey into a sustainable forest‑based enterprise. Beekeepers become direct guardians against illegal logging.
Aquaculture Small‑scale fish farming (tilapia) in village ponds provides protein and income, reducing dependence on bushmeat and shifting pressure away from forest resources. Pond fertilization uses organic matter from biogas slurry – a circular link.
Biogas adoption Household‑scale digesters convert cattle manure and kitchen waste into clean cooking gas. Each biogas system saves approximately 3 tonnes of firewood per year, directly reducing forest degradation. Effluent is used as fertilizer in home gardens and fishponds.
These four pillars form an integrated package: conservation, renewable energy, sustainable food production, and income diversification.
Stewardship & income: Through participatory forest management, villages gain legal recognition of their user rights and receive direct benefits from carbon projects. Beekeeping and honey sales already supplement household incomes — a single farmer can earn $150–200 per season from 20 hives. Aquaculture adds another layer of nutrition and cash.
Health, energy & climate adaptation: Biogas eliminates indoor air pollution from cooking with firewood, reduces hours spent collecting fuel (mainly women’s labour), and keeps forests standing. Sludge from biogas improves soil fertility, boosting yields in kitchen gardens and reinforcing climate resilience. Communities report better adaptive capacity during dry spells.
Ecosystem services such as soil conservation and watershed protection are strengthened — intact forests regulate water flow for downstream farms. The holistic approach ensures that conservation does not compete with livelihoods; instead, they become mutually reinforcing.
Participatory engagement & long‑term ownership: Through village assemblies, Soldecom ensures local ownership from the outset. Benefit‑sharing agreements are negotiated transparently; women and youth groups are actively involved in beekeeping and fish farming. This social infrastructure guarantees that interventions outlast the project cycle.