Contribution of agroforestry practices to the livelihoods of farmers in Ruteete Sub-County, Burahya County, Kabarole District

Abstract

This study assessed the contribution of agroforestry practices to the livelihoods of farmers in Ruteete sub-county, Burahya County, Kabarole District. The specific objectives were to examine the agroforestry practices in Ruteete sub-county, assess ways in which farmers benefit from the agroforestry practices for their livelihood improvement and examine farmers’ perceptions of agroforestry as a sustainable form of land use. Applying a descriptive research design involving qualitative and quantitative data, a sample size of 60 farmers was selected and interviewed to collect data using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed in SPSS and Excel. Results revealed that home garden agroforestry was the major practice adopted by majority of farmers in the study area because of inadequate land. The practices included boundary planting, silvo pastoral, scattered trees on farms and taungya. The home garden trees included Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Carica papaya, eucalyptus grandis and Grivellia robusta. The agricultural crops were bananas, maize, beans, and cassava while the livestock consisted of pigs, goats, chicken and cattle. The benefits of home garden agroforestry include source of food, fuelwood, income, herbal medicine, aesthetic values and timber. Agroforestry practices also provide environmental benefits such as addition of manure in the soil, control of soil erosion, maintaining soil moisture and making use of water-logged areas for their livelihood improvement. Based on the education levels of farmers, the benefits and disadvantages of Agroforestry farmers in the study area perceived agroforestry as very effective, not effective and moderate as a sustainable land use. The results showed that farmers practising agroforestry face a lot of hindrances including crop riding, food safety, inadequate capital, inadequate land, bacteria disease and competition among the agroforestry components that reduce farmers’ yield. Famers in the study area also suggested ways through which their challenges can be solved including the need for technical knowledge, skills and ability to manage the crops and trees on their farms through enhanced extension services, provision of high-quality seedlings, provision of fertilizers, and compensation by the management of Kibaale natural forest due to crop riding. In conclusion, agroforestry practices are improving farmers' livelihood within the study area.