Effects of agroforestry on tea growing: A case study of Ankole Tea Estate Bushenyi District

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the impact of agroforestry practices on tea growing and to the development of people’s livelihoods of communities around Ankole Tea Estate in Kyamuhunga Sub county Bushenyi district. The study was carried out basing on the following objectives: (i)To access the agro forestry practices being practiced in Ankole Tea Estate. (ii)To access the effects of agroforestry practices on tea growing,(iii) To find out challenges faced by tea growers in Ankole Tea Estate and out growers, two parishes were purposively selected and three villages were selected, respondents were randomly selected ,Methods of data collection included use of structured questionnaires, face to face interviews, key informative interviews, direct observation The study revealed that the use of agroforestry practices in tea growing has greatly improved the standards of living of people in Kyamuhunga Sub County. This is because majority of people were employed in tea fields and in the factory thus able to earn a living, the study also evidenced that commercial tea growers dominate the use of agroforestry practices because tea plantations cover largest area of land (5000.hactares) within Ankole Tea Estate and surrounding areas. Fuel wood was the greatest benefit farmers get from the use of agroforestry practices while shade was discovered as the greatest benefit of agroforestry trees on tea growing. Farmers have inadequate capital and land for expansion, land ownership is customary and at least ten trees are found in each hectare of the land, it was concluded that farmers have limited appropriate agroforestry practices and management practices in the tea field’s and the existing values through extension workers who facilitates the adoption of these practices is still undocumented. Efforts therefore should be made to make farmers aware of existing and appropriate agroforestry practices ,existing pests and diseases which attack tea plants and agroforestry trees. Financial support from NGOs and the government should support the service providers