Contribution of agroforestry on food security of rural households in AII-VU Subcounty, Arua District

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of agroforestry on food security of the farming households in Aii-vu sub-County, Arua 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. Data were collected using reconnaissance, household and field surveys and analysed in SPSS and Excel. The findings show that eight agroforestry technologies were practiced by the farmers of which the Home gardens (26%), mixed intercropping (25%) and integrated tree/pasture management (17%) were the most adopted technologies. Cassava (100%), beans (98.3%) and maize (95%) and sweet potatoes (80%) were the most common crops grown. Most of the respondents (96.7%) kept goats, chicken (95%), 66.7% kept sheep and 63.7% of them kept cattle Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus spp, Citrus sinensis, Papaya carica and Persea americana were the most preferred and grown tree species in the area. Provision of food, income generation, farmer’s awareness and access to extension services were some of the most critical factors that enhance farmers’ choice of AF practice and the tree species, whereas land shortage, lack of monetary capital and lack of knowledge were the most limiting factors. It is concluded that agroforestry contributes to food security and majority of the farmers accepted it as a land practice that ensure food security. It is recommended that farmers should practice agroforestry technology that can result in food availability and accessibility. Farmers should also be provided with germplasm of the improved tree species, be educated and sensitized about the various agroforestry practices and have individual or community tree nurseries that can be accessed by farmers.