Contribution of agroforestry practices to food security : a case study of Nyero Sub-County in Kumi District

Abstract

Agroforestry is a land management system where trees are strategically integrated with agricultural crops and animals on the same piece of land. Much as this system has been carried in Kumi district for a long time, its potential contribution to food among local farmers remains limited. This study, thus investigated the contribution of agroforestry practices to food security in Nyero Subcounty, Kumi District. The study employed a mixed research design in which data were collected through household interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 60 farmers were sampled using simple random sampling techniques from four randomly selected villages, ensuring a comprehensive representation of local agroforestry practices. The collected data were checked, coded, and entered into SPSS for analysis and presented as descriptive statistics in form of tables and graphs. The major reported agroforestry practices in the area included home gardens, woodlots, silvopastoral and windbreaks reported 53.3%, 28.3%, 26.7% and 21.7% of the respondents respectively. The most preferred tree species for enhancing food security included Mangifera indica (Mango Tree), Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange Tree), Tamarindus indica (Tamarind Tree), Persea americana (Avocado Tree), and Eucalyptus sp, Anacardium occidentale (Cashew Tree) Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit Tree), Cordia africana, Prunus africana and Markamia lutea reported by 73.3%, 40.0%, 36.7%, 36.7%, 36.7%, 35.0%, 25.0%, 16.7%, 10.0% and 1.7% of the respondents respectively. Uses of agroforestry trees for food security were in the form of fuel wood, windbreaks, shade, timber production, fruits, medicine and household income. Agroforestry contributed to food security in various ways ranging from steady food supply, its role in providing a constant supply of fuel wood, generating of income, nutritional diversity, medicine, forage for livestock, enhanced water management and risk mitigation reported by 65.0%, 46.7%, 45.0%, 18.3%, 08.3%, 03.3%, 03.3% and 01.7% of the respondents respectively. The management strategies for agroforestry practices in the area included pest and disease management, weeding, spacing, thinning, mulching, intercropping and fertilizer application among others. Income generation was the major factor influencing the attitude of farmers towards agroforestry practices for food security, followed by fuel provision and soil erosion control reported by 65%, 26.7% and 18.3% respectively of the respondent. Other factors included improved microclimate, increased crop yields, reliable food sources, availability of land, windbreaks, extension services, ready market and reliability of agroforestry reported by 18.3%, 13.3%, 10.0%, 08.3%, 06.6%, 05.0% and 03.3% of the respondent respectively. Challenges faced in practicing agroforestry were pests and diseases, harsh climate, and low product prices reported by 71.7%, 51.7% and 28.3% of the respondents respectively Opportunities for management of agroforestry practices to overcome the challenges were spraying of the crops and animal, planting drought resistant crop varieties, fencing of the farm, watering of the seedling, improving post harvesting techniques, providing training and education and promoting intercropping as reported by 83.0%, 66.7%, 62%, 41.6%, 31.6%, 28% and 25.0% of the respondents respectively. Household size had significant influence (pvalue=0.000). on the belief that agroforestry has to provide food throughout the year. Empowering local communities with knowledge and skills essential for using agroforestry to improve their food security status would be essential. There is, thus, a need to establish training programs aimed at equipping farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement agroforestry practices that enhance food security.