Land use analysis for agroforestry research and development: a case study for Luwero district in Uganda

A land use evaluation in Luwero district of Uganda was undertaken as the primary stage in planning for appropriate agroforestry research and development. Published information sources, personal interviews, discussions with key informants and a survey of 50 randomly selected households across the banana-coffee farming system were used in the study. The biophysical environment at altitudes of 1000-1300 m a.s.l is characterised by undulating topography intersected with river valleys. The climate is characterised by a mean temperature range of 15°C (minimum) to 30°C (maximum) with pronounced wet and dry seasons; the bimodally distributed annual rainfall is 1000-2000 mm. Soils are predominantly ferralsols (Oxisols) supporting a forest-savanna mosaic vegetation type. The socio-economic environment is characterised by an aging population (>50 years), widespread temporary landownership, and a predominance of family labour. Shortages of cash, lack of credit facilities and external inputs, poor marketing and transportation infrastructure, and inadequate extension services are identified constraints. The banana-coffee production system is organized on a subsistance level with crop production carried out ungentle slopes, in home gardens and in plots on the outer edges of the homegardens; cooking bananas are the main staple. Cash crops (cotton and coffee) are neglected. Soil fertility management is inadequate. Livestock production is a minor component of the system; various livestock are kept for home consumption and cash income. Trees occupy traditional niches in home gardens and compounds for provision of shade and fruits. Secondary roles include fuel wood, building materials, raw materials, fencing and windbreaks. Ficus natalensis, Albizia spp., Markhamia lutea and a range of fruit trees are grown. Production is constrained by socio-economic problems which are exacerbated by declining soil fertility, lack of external inputs, poor farm management, and low quality fodder. Improved production would require attention to: (i) cash availability, (ii) cash, food crops and livestock production, (iii) tree cultivation and (iv) land tenure. These areas may be addressed by: (i) re-settlement assistance to farmers, (ii) provision of credit facilities and secure land tenure, (iii) improvement in service infrastructure and extension services, (iv) agroforestry education, and (v) intensified soil fertility management. Agroforestry practices to address production constraints should involve implementation of strategies which are readily adoptable and include: (i) use of upperstorey trees in home gardens and/or coffee plots, (ii) expansion of fruit tree cultivation, (iii) development of fodder banks, and (iv) boundary tree planting. Additional agroforestry practices, such as alley cropping, will require further research and education via institutional demonstration trials.