Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (FAES)

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/319

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Effect of Land Degradation on Potato Production in Rubanda District: A Case Study of Muko Sub-County.
    (Kabale University, 2020) Niwaha, Richard
    The aim of the study was to establish the effect of land degradation on potato production in Muko Sub County. The study was guided by objectives which were; to determine the types of land degradation in Muko Sub County, to investigate the land degradation factors affecting potato production in Muko Sub County and to establish the measures to reduce land degradation and improve potato production in Rubanda District. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a sample of 171 respondents. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting respondents. Questionnaires and interview guide were used in data collection. Data was presented using frequency tables, pie-charts and graphs. Findings in revealed that 35.1% of the respondents reported that there was soil fertility decline in the study area, 29.2% of the respondents reported soil erosion, 14.6% of the respondents revealed that there was vegetation loss in Muko sub county, 11.7% of the respondents reported stone appearance while 9.4% revealed that there was waterlogging in Muko sub county. From the findings, 23.4% of the farmers ranked insufficient capital as the major constraints to potato farming, 20.5% and 17.5% of the farmers ranked high cost of farm inputs and pests and disease respectively, 11.7% reported inadequate storage. It was noted by 20.5% of the farmers that terracing improves land degradation and increases potato production. Agroforestry practices improves on soil conservation and improves on productivity of potato production was reported by 19.3% of the respondents. Controlled overgrazing reduces land degradation and increases productivity of land for potatoes as revealed by 16.4% of the respondents. More still, 14.6% of the farmers revealed that provision of information to potato farmers on improved potato technologies by extension workers reduce land degradation and improve potato production. The study found out that insufficient capital, high cost of farm inputs and pests and disease, inadequate storage, poor information network, insufficient extension agent and lack of access road were the challenges faced by farmers in potato production. It was recommended that extension agents should be well involved in disseminating information by using open field days, demonstration and control plots so as to encourage farmers in adopting better production practices. Government and other stakeholders need to also invest in extension service in sensitizing potato farmers in the study areas as this has the potential to increase farmer’s productivity and income.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing the Effects of Land Use Practices and Environmental Conservation in Rubanda District: A Case Study of Hamurwa Sub-County.
    (Kabale University, 2020) Mutesigensi, Samuel
    This study was focused on assessing the effects of land use practices and environmental conservation in Rubanda district. The study was guided by three objectives; to identify effects of land use practices on environmental conservation in Hamurwa sub-county Rubanda district, to establish policies/laws that govern land and environment in Hamurwa sub-county Rubanda district and to identify the activities that degrade the environment in Hamurwa sub-county Rubanda district. Data collection tools included questionnaires and interview guide which were used to collect data from 100 respondents mainly staff of Hamurwa sub-county, leaders and community members. Data analysis was done using Microsoft excel and the findings were presented in tables, charts and graphs. The study findings indicates that there were policies/laws that govern land and environment as they include; national land use policy with 14%, national environment Act with 20%, the land Act of 1998 with 10%, the Uganda national land policy 2013 with 16% and local policies or rules that govern land and environment with 40%. Majority of the respondents with 40% agreed that local policies or rules that govern land and environment were the major policy used by respondents from Hamurwa Sub-county Rubanda district. Findings of the study indicates that there were effects of land use practices on environment as they include; Good quality yields indicated by 18%, Increased Quantity yield or yield per acre presented by 20%, improved soil fertility presented by 36% and other factors with 26%. However majority of the respondents revealed that improved soil fertility with 36% was the most common effect affecting land use practices in Hamurwa sub-county Rubanda district. The study findings indicates that there were activities that degrades the environment which include; overpopulation with 16%, housing/settlement with 8%, land tenure with 4%, overgrazing with 12%, bush burning with 10%, over cultivation with 22%, mono cropping with 20% and other factors with 8%. However majority of the respondents revealed that over cultivation with 22% was the major activity that degrade the environment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of the Social-Economic Contributions of Mgahinga National Park to Local Communities in Muramba Sub-County, Kisoro District, South-Western Uganda.
    (Kabale University, 2020) Mahoro, Shallon
    National parks like Mgahinga National Park contribute various socio-economic goods and services to the local communities around them and therefore contribute to improvement of livelihoods. Parks do not only provide food, medicine, fodder, fuel wood, and poles to local communities but also parks offer job opportunities, educative programs, and other community services to local people. The purpose of this study was therefore assessment of the social-economic contributions of Mgahinga National Park to local communities in Muramba sub-county, Kisoro District. The study was guided by the specific objectives which include investigating the contributions of Mgahinga National Park to the development of local communities, establishing the challenges faced by people living near Mgahinga National Park, and assessing the possible solutions to the challenges faced by communities near Mgahinga National Park in Muramba sub-county, Kisoro District. The study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses methods. Using simple random and purposive sampling techniques, a total of 109 respondents were selected to participate in the study. Questionnaires, observation and interviewing methods of data collection were used in the study. The social-economic contributions of the National Parks to the development of local communities were provision of employment opportunity, poverty reduction, carbon sequestration, water catchment areas, rainfall formation, community development and management of related land use activities. The challenges faced by people living near the National Parks were limited livelihood alternatives, increased competition on other development initiatives, inadequate innovation and human capital, crop animal raiding, prostitution and lack of mass education on conservation.The possible solutions to the challenges faced by communities near Mgahinga National park were community`s involvement in conservation activities, community-based natural resource management, ensuring environmental sustainability, practical field-based monitoring of illegal activities, use of wildlife friendly products and implementation of policies. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that there should be mass education on conservation to local communities in Muramba sub-county Kisoro district to ease conservation. The local residents should be trained on sustainable land management activities and better farming methods to ease conservation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of the Effect of Flooding on Agricultural Lands in Kaharo Sub-County of Kabale District South Western Uganda.
    (Kabale University, 2020) Nyakiti, Dorcas Awino
    In the last three decades, the impacts of flooding have increasingly assumed from significant to threatening proportions in Kaharo sub-county villages like Kitare, Nyakigugwe, Nkumbura, Kizinga, Karehe resulting in loss of lives and destroying farm lands. The purpose of this study was therefore assessment of the effects of flooding on agricultural lands in Kaharo sub county of Kabale district south western Uganda. The study was guided by the specific objectives which include investigating the causes of flooding on agricultural lands in Kaharo sub county, establishing the effects of flooding on agricultural lands in Kaharo sub county, and assessing the possible solutions to the effects of flooding on agricultural lands in Kaharo sub county of Kabale district south western Uganda. The study employed descriptive survey design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses methods. Using simple random and purposive sampling techniques, a total of 84 respondents were selected to participate in the study. Focused group discussion and interviewing methods of data collection were used in this study. Rapid urbanization, population growth and high Rainfall Intensities were the causes of flooding on agricultural lands in Kaharo sub county Kabale district reported by 49%, 56% and 32%), respectively (Table 4.1). Other causes of flooding were location of settlement on flood plain (48%), lack of awareness and information (2%), poverty (7%), unprotected flood areas, standing crops and livestock (30%) and lastly transition in cultural practices (24%). Loss of life (52) was the major effect of flooding on agricultural lands in Kaharo sub county Kabale district (Table 4.2), 49% of the respondents recorded that damage to crops and food supplies were the effects of flooding in an area whereas 46% of the respondents mentioned that Famine was also an effect of flooding due to destruction of crops and other agricultural lands. It was also concluded that 60% of the respondents suggested that there should be wetland restoration in the area, the need for community based natural resource management which helps in the conservation of wetlands (44%), 38% of the respondents suggested that early warning systems should be put in place to find out different mitigation measures for conservation of agricultural lands whereas 30% of the respondents suggested that there was need for massive education (Table 4.3). The study also recommended areas for further studies like assessment of the effects of flooding on agricultural production in Kaharo sub-county and assessing Vulnerability of Peri-Urban Areas to Floods.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Livelihoods in Rujumbura Rukungiri District.
    (Kabale University, 2021) Niwagaba, Alfred
    Globally climate change effects are increasing and it affects the whole globe. Sub-Saharan Africa is more vulnerable and the most exposed to these effects. In most African countries including Uganda, agriculture is the leading source of livelihood and is the most affected sector. This study explored the impacts of climate change on the livelihood sources, the people’s perceptions and the adaptation and coping measures. The study was carried out in n the sub counties of Ruhinda, Buhunga, Nyakagyeme and Bugagari. In addition, the objectives of the study were: 1) to assess the impacts of climate change on peoples’ livelihoods, to analyze the perception of farmers about climate change impacts on peoples’ livelihoods, 3) to determine the adaptation measures used by people to reduce the climate change impacts on people’s livelihoods. The data was collected using interview guides and questionnaires, the respondents reported that climate change was due to deforestation, wetland degradation, and bush burning. The major livelihood sources of people in the areas were crop growing, livestock farming, trading activities and handcrafts like basket weaving. Drying of crops, water scarcity, increased crop pests, soil erosion and reduced yields are the most experienced impacts resulting from climate change. The most affected crops were beans, cassava, maize, banana, potatoes, coffee and rice. On the climate change perceptions, there has been increase in drought conditions, variations in seasons, increase in temperatures, decrease in rainfall, erratic rains and increased flooding conditions. Adaptation measures used by respondents were; early planting, changing the planting dates, crop diversifications, change in the crop varieties, rainwater harvest, and watering crops during drought. Meanwhile, livestock farmers reported shift grazing and change of local varieties as their mitigation actions to the climate change conditions. These challenges were limited capital to purchase improved agriculture technologies, limited skills and lack of enough government support. Recommendations of the study are the following: training the locals on the mitigation measures and extending credit facilities to enable farmers to access improved agriculture technologies.