The Relevance Of Agroforestry Practices In Kalungu Sub County, Masaka District, Central Uganda

ABSTRACT

Agroforestry practices and technologies have been developed as one way of solving the problems of land and forest degradation and the resultant problems of poverty and food insecurity in the rural areas of most developing countries, Uganda inclusive. This dissertation was an effort which was undertaken to assess the importance of Agroforestry practices and technologies in Kalungu sub county, Masaka District, Central Uganda and their contribution towards improving the welfare and livelihoods ofthe local farmers. Variables assessed and analyzed were the Agroforestry practices, technologies and household income. Primary data was obtained from farmers through an interview schedule using a questionnaire which was based on a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. A total of sixty (60) respondents were chosen by the lottery method, in which thirty (30) were affiliated with the Vi project and thirty (30) non Vi farmers. The main source of household income in Kalungu sub county is agriculture, that is, crop production and livestock keeping. Farmers in Kalungu sub county engage in Agroforestry practices which include improved fallows, orchards, trees on boundary, alley cropping, home gardens, shelter belts, wind breaks and live fences/hedges. Orchards and homegardens were the most common practices in Kalungu sub county. Plant products harvested from homegardens and orchards improve family’s nutritional status, health and food security. Some of the plant products are sold in local and regional markets thus improving the household’s fmancial status. The results of this study demonstrated that Agroforestry is one of the most feasible methods of increasing production on the lands and ameliorating the environmental problems of deforestation existing in the area hence improving the household welfare. This is evidenced by the multiple benefits obtained from trees by the farmers which will be a motivation for practicing and scaling up Agroforestry practices. The study recommended for more research, training and sensitization in order to improve on their existing traditional AF practices and also to adopt the modern AF practices and improve their household income and welfare.