MINUTES OF THE 3RD UGANDA AGRO-BIODIVERSITY WORKING GROUP MEETING HELD FRIDAY 18TH JULY 20006

Members Present

  1. Mr. Steven Mugabi (MWLE) (Chaired)
  2. Ms. Sophy Musaana (NARO/KAWANDA)
  3. Dr. Festus Bagoora (NEMA)
  4. Mr. Sam Gwali (FORRI)
  5. Mrs. Shelia Taylor (Send a Cow)
  6. Ms. Pauline Nantongo (ECOTRUST)
  7. Mr. David Mushabe (NatureUganda)
  8. Ms. Olivia Nantaba (UWS)Taking Minutes

Absent with Apologies

1. Ms. Susan Bingi

2. Prof. Derek Pomeroy (MUIENR)

3. Ms. Florence Nagawa (EPOPA)

4. Mr. Vincent Barugahare (WID)

5. Ms. Joy Tumuhairwe (Fac of Agriculture)

6. Mr. Okecho Geresom (NAADS)

AGENDA

  1. Communication from the Chair
  2. Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising
  3. Reviewing of Terms of Reference
  4. Collaborations
  5. Election of Chair
  6. A.O.B

MINUTE 1/3/2006 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

The chair of this meeting was Mr. Mugabi, elected by the members present that day. He welcomed members present and read through the proposed agenda. The proposed agenda was adopted and the meeting proceeded.

MINUTES 2/3/2006 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS

Minutes of the last meeting were read out and comments were made one at a time on the different issues. It was agreed that the minutes should be kept as true record of the second agro-biodiversity working group meeting.

MINUTE 3/3/2006 REVIEW OF OBJECTIVES AND ToRS

A)OBJECTIVES

A comment was made on objective 2 and the meeting agreed that the 6 objectives should be able to guide the working group in its:

  1. Identify best practices for the long-term conservation of biodiversity in selected farmed landscapes in Uganda.
  2. Contribute to the establishment of a framework for sustainable agriculture development and monitoring of agro-biodiversity changes/trends in Uganda.
  3. To mobilize individuals, institutions and Civil Society Organizations involved in the agro-biodiversity sector to support development and implementation of the Agro-biodiversity Policy, Plan and Act.
  4. To take lead in identifying issues of concern in the agro-biodiversity sector.
  5. To lobby and advocate for policy commitments relevant to agro-biodiversity.
  6. Encourage the development of networks and partnerships in the agro-biodiversity sector
  7. To mobilize resources for the implementation of the working group programs.

B)ToRs

A few adjustments were made on the ToRs and it was agreed that the working group takes the following as its ToRs.

  1. Identify issues of concern in the agro-biodiversity sector. The working group will take lead in identifying and reviewing cross cutting issues that affect the agriculture and biodiversity sectors (including policies, plans and programs) and how these economically, environmentally and socially affect people's livelihoods.
  2. Identify existing and potential interventions relating to agro-biodiversity.
  3. Identify partners to the working group for the sustainability of the working group by organizing joint programs and networking.
  4. Advocate for policy effectiveness were appropriate in the agro-biodiversity sector. After identifying and reviewing cross cutting issues, the UABWG will advocate for effectiveness in policy in the agro-biodiversity sector for the good of the people and the environment in which they live.
  5. Stock-take agro-biodiversity related management practices / experiences of the different organizations in the country after which they will be documented.

Draft Mission

Taking into account the pillars on which PEAP is based:

Contribute to creating actions, which will directly lead to biodiversity conservation, increase agriculture production on farmed landscapes and hence poverty reduction.

Draft Overall Goal

The overall goal of the working group is, to promote the conservation of biological diversity on farmed landscapes of Uganda.

Draft Purpose

Provide a mechanism for identification and utilization of information and best practices for long time conservation.

MINUTE 4/3/2006 ELECTION OF CHAIR

The secretariat was requested to reminders to members to send in their nominations for post of chair again, because those that had been nominated had kindly requested to be excused due to their busy schedules.

MINUTE 5/3/2006 A.O.B and WAY FORWARD

A)TO BE UNDERTAKEN

  • Circulate emails requesting for volunteers or nominations for the post of the chair to the working group (this is a reminder Please).
  • Develop a simple profile format for the members of the UABWG.
  • Have a report of the EPOPA/UABWG workshop in the next meeting.
  • Members to provide list of potential partners to the secretariat especially grass root organizations like coffee exporters in Kamuli.

B)DRAFT LIST OF ACTIVITIES

The following draft list of potential activities by UABWG was identified:

  • Encouraging members to join and take active participation in the working group ie network.
  • Mobilizing resources for its activities and sustaining the group and its activities.
  • Conducting scientific surveys.
  • Documentation of best and worst cases.
  • Advocating for promotion, compliance and accountability by stakeholders in the agro-biodiversity sector.
  • Capacity building for its members and partners.

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