Assessment of farmers' experiences on termite infestation and management in Agroforestry in Namawojjolo parish, Nama sub-county in Mukono district.

Abstract

Termites are a major problem in agroforestry and this study focused on the different tree species and crops within agroforestry that were infested by the various termite species in Namawojjolo parish, Nama sub-county in Mukono district. The specific objectives were to: (i) Assess farmers’ knowledge of termite infestation in agroforestry (ii) Document farmers’ management practices of termites in agroforestry, and (iii) Identify challenges faced by farmers in managing termites in agroforestry and the mitigation measures. Questionnaires that were both open and close ended were administered to the respondents. Samples of termites that were identified by farmers were collected in vials and preserved in alcohol for later scientific identification. The data was checked, organized, coded and entered into SPSS for analysis. The results of this study indicated that farmers were aware and knowledgeable about termite infestations and they were able to identify five termite species that were damaging to both trees and crops. Macrotermes bellicosus and Macrotermes bellicosus were generally reported as the most damaging termite species on both trees and crops. Eucalyptus was reported the most infested tree while maize and cassava as well as sugarcanes were cited as the most infested crops on the respondents’ agroforestry farms. Macrotermes bellicosus was reported to have infested all the tree species though with differing levels of infestation that were measured using a Likert scale where some had very high level of infestation such as Eucalyptus and some had low levels of infestation such as Artocarpus heterophyllus. Within agroforestry crops, Macrotermes bellicosus was reported to infest a number of crops followed by Macrotermes subhyalinus that was reported by majority of respondents especially on crops such as maize, cassava, sugarcanes and tomatoes. The most common management method reported was the use of insecticides by 78% of the respondents that attempted to manage the termite infestation, followed by use of ash and cow dung by 11% of respondents, use of resin by 7% of respondents, 2% destroyed the termite mounds and 2% did trench digging. Limited income, duplicate and ineffective termicides as well as ignorance were the most reported challenges faced by farmers during the management of the termite infestation. Extension services should be made available to farmers since information on termite management seemed limited to a few farmers.