Cropping systems that simultaneously achieve biodiversity conservation as well as improved livelihoods: a case study of Kikuube district.
Abstract
Various cropping systems have been adopted and used around the globe to produce crops for
food as well as cash crops. However, there is concern about how different cropping systems
impact on native biodiversity in the process of providing humans with a living. This study
therefore sought to identify the cropping systems that can simultaneously achieve biodiversity
conservation as well as improve livelihoods. Three specific objectives were addressed by the
study; (1) To assess the diversity of woody tree species in the different cropping systems in
Kabwoya sub county, (2) To assess the factors influencing the choice of cropping system
among farmers in Kabwoya sub county. (3) To assess the contribution of the different
cropping systems towards house hold income and food security among farmers in Kabwoya
sub county. Four cropping systems were used that is coffee banana system, sugarcane
system, tobacco system and annual crops system. Diversity of tree species across cropping
systems was determined using 10 plots measuring 50m by 50m in each cropping system.
Results showed that; coffee banana system had the highest diversity index value (H) of 3.18
followed by annual crops with 3.00, tobacco system with 2.79, and lastly sugarcane system
with diversity index of 2.27. Choice of cropping system was mainly determined by age of
household head, tenure in which land is owned, and gender. Contribution of various cropping
systems towards livelihoods of respondents was determined by comparing incomes obtained
by farmers from the cropping system(s) and farmer’s expenditure on food stuffs. Farmers
who engaged in sugarcane growing earned relatively higher incomes but also spent much on
foodstuffs compared to those who engaged in annual crops who earned relatively low
incomes but spent less on foodstuffs. Farmers who engaged in both coffee banana and annual
crops were found to earn relatively higher incomes with very low expenditure on food stuffs.
I recommend that agro forestry based cropping systems should be encouraged among farmers
in kabwoya sub county since such systems are found to best conserve biodiversity as well as
improve
people’s livelihoods for sustainable development.