Assessment of farmers' experiences on termite infestation and management in Agroforestry in Namawojjolo parish, Nama sub-county in Mukono district.
Abstract
Termites are a major problem in agroforestry and this study focused on the different tree species
and crops within agroforestry that were infested by the various termite species in Namawojjolo
parish, Nama sub-county in Mukono district. The specific objectives were to: (i) Assess farmers’
knowledge of termite infestation in agroforestry (ii) Document farmers’ management practices of
termites in agroforestry, and (iii) Identify challenges faced by farmers in managing termites in
agroforestry and the mitigation measures. Questionnaires that were both open and close ended
were administered to the respondents. Samples of termites that were identified by farmers were
collected in vials and preserved in alcohol for later scientific identification. The data was checked,
organized, coded and entered into SPSS for analysis. The results of this study indicated that
farmers were aware and knowledgeable about termite infestations and they were able to identify
five termite species that were damaging to both trees and crops. Macrotermes bellicosus and
Macrotermes bellicosus were generally reported as the most damaging termite species on both
trees and crops. Eucalyptus was reported the most infested tree while maize and cassava as well
as sugarcanes were cited as the most infested crops on the respondents’ agroforestry farms.
Macrotermes bellicosus was reported to have infested all the tree species though with differing
levels of infestation that were measured using a Likert scale where some had very high level of
infestation such as Eucalyptus and some had low levels of infestation such as Artocarpus
heterophyllus. Within agroforestry crops, Macrotermes bellicosus was reported to infest a number
of crops followed by Macrotermes subhyalinus that was reported by majority of respondents
especially on crops such as maize, cassava, sugarcanes and tomatoes. The most common
management method reported was the use of insecticides by 78% of the respondents that attempted
to manage the termite infestation, followed by use of ash and cow dung by 11% of respondents,
use of resin by 7% of respondents, 2% destroyed the termite mounds and 2% did trench digging.
Limited income, duplicate and ineffective termicides as well as ignorance were the most reported
challenges faced by farmers during the management of the termite infestation. Extension services
should be made available to farmers since information on termite management seemed limited to
a few farmers.