Impacts of land use change to eucalyptus on ecosystem resilience in Luweero District, Uganda

Abstract

Eucalyptus tree farming is one of the farming practices that are normally practiced by the farmers in Uganda. In this study, the area eucalyptus tree farming is Luweero District among farmers. The study was guided by two specific objectives which included characterization of the Eucalyptus Farm types with respect to socioeconomic variables and to assess the variation in Eucalyptus management practices with respect to the Farm types. A sample of 50 farmers was selected using purposive sampling techniques. Administered questionnaires and observation were used to collect the data which was later corded and entered into the SPSS for analysis. The findings show that various traits like age, sex, levels of education and land ownership partly characterize eucalyptus farmers in Luweero District. Besides, farmers share the management information of the eucalyptus gardens rather than the government extension workers. The study concludes with emphasis that such traits should be supported for the increased eucalyptus tree growing and recommends a need for the government to support individual ownership of land in order to increase eucalyptus tree growing.