| dc.description.abstract | This study assessed the adoption of agroforestry practices for food security and improved livelihoods in Nangabo sub county Wakiso District. The study examined and documented the agroforestry tree species and agricultural crops grown and livestock reared by farmers, assessed food availability and accessibility by farmers who practice agroforestry and the extent to which farmers regard agroforestry as a land use practice that contributes to food security. The specific objectives were to examine (i) the agroforestry practices and technologies adopted by farmers (ii) food and livestock production components of agroforestry practices and their contribution to food security and (iii) the contribution of agroforestry products to the livelihoods of farming in households. The study adopted descriptive research design involving qualitative and quantitative data. A sample size of 100 farmers was selected for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS and Excel. Income was the key reason for practicing agroforestry as reported by 42.9% of the respondents, food and fruits for home consumption (28.6%) and firewood reported by the same percentage of respondents. Other benefits included poultry feed, medicine and boundary.
Agroforestry system was most practiced in home gardening reported by 49.4% and mixture of trees, crops and livestock reported by 47.1% of the respondents. This was due to the small piece of land and the high advantage in terms of food consumption and income generating. This resulted from the limited land and higher rate of demand for food production as informed by the respondents. Trees spared on the farm was reported by 14.1%, trees planted from seedling by 10.6%, fish farming, tree growing and agricultural crops by 7.1% because large land, requires skilled labor and less informed. Compound tree planting for shade was reported by 40% of the respondents and firewood was reported by 24.7%. The study further revealed that agroforestry contributes to food security and improved livelihoods through income that helps many farmers to meet basic needs (82.8%). There is need to mobilize farmers to join groups or farmer associations to practice agroforestry. | en_US |
