James Thembo

James Thembo’s path at Fairventures Worldwide began when the organisation opened its country office in Uganda in 2018. As a young forestry graduate he was eager to work directly with communities to build strong, trust-based relationships with smallholder farmers and dedicated himself to reforestation efforts.

From those early days with a small team, James has been part of the remarkable growth of Fairventures in Uganda. What once started with only a handful of staff has developed into a team with over 40 dedicated people working together to strengthen local communities, promote sustainable agroforestry practices, and restore degraded landscapes.

Now as the Operational Lead in Uganda, James brings in the practical experience of someone who has spent years in the field listening to farmers and understanding their challenges. He works towards a place where landscapes have been restored and envisions communities where farmers gain reliable incomes, young people find new opportunities, and forests once again support local life.

For over 10 years, Fairventures Worldwide has been supporting smallholder farmers in Uganda and Indonesia in reforesting degraded land. Their holistic agroforestry approach combines agriculture and forestry by cultivating high-yield intercropping crops such as cocoa and nuts alongside trees on the same land. By planting fast-growing native tree species that are in demand in the timber industry, farmers are provided with additional income opportunities. This holistic approach, which integrates economic, ecological, and social aspects, transforms villages with high poverty rates into sustainable habitats for people and nature.

Together with James Thembo and his team, Fairventures Worldwide is committed to forest restoration, strengthening community livelihoods, sustainable value chains, as well as training and coordinating Farmer Field Schools.

Healthy forests as climate solutions – small-scale farmers become pioneers in the fight against climate change.

Fairventures works with small-scale farmers and local institutions – such as schools, churches, community councils, and local NGOs – in various regions of Uganda and Indonesia.

Every year, new smallholder farmers are recruited by the field teams. In the Farmer Field Schools, farmers receive personalised advice to determine the best reforestation strategy and practical training in effective agroforestry practices. Seedlings from community nurseries are then distributed at the start of the rainy season.

The field teams support the farmers in planting and accompany them until harvest. All planting areas are documented. Comprehensive monitoring by the farmers tracks the growth of the trees, and replanting is done where necessary.