37 research outputs found
The Effect of Land use/cover change on Biomass Stock in Dryland Areas of Eastern Uganda. A case study of Olio Sub-county in Soroti District
Drylands occupy 44% of Uganda’s land surface and provide livelihood to a cross-section of both rural and urban folks. However in the face of population pressure, drylands are increasingly in the path of conversion and degradation. This study therefore, performed an assessment of the effect of land use/cover change on biomass stock in olio sub-county from 1973 to 2001. A series of systematically corrected Orthorectified Landsat imageries of 1973, 1986 and 2001 obtained from the Landsat website were used. The images were analysed using  unsupervised approach in Integrated Land and Water Information System version 3.3 and validated using field observations and historic memories of village elders. Findings indicate that land use/cover change is driven by small-scale farming. Between 1973-1986 significant declines were identified among small-scale farming (23.2%), grasslands (8.7%) and large scale-farming (9.9%). Further, declines were also registered between 1986-2001 in Bushland (12.1%), woodlands (13.9%) and wetlands (8.2%) while dramatic gains were registered in small-scale farming by 19.4%. These declines led to losses in the available biomass stock by 2001 within bushlands, wetlands and woodlands loosing 29.1 million tons, 669.1 metric tons and 87.3 million tons respectively. We conclude that small-scale farming by resource poor farmers is rapidly transforming the vegetation landscape. Therefore, there is need for increased use of remote sensing and GIS to quantify change patterns at local scales for essential monitoring and assessment of land use and or/cover change effects and human interference on the landscape. @JASEMJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 101 - 10
SOIL CARBON AND NITROGEN STOCKS IN TRADITIONALLY MANAGED RANGELAND BIOMES IN KARAMOJA SUB-REGION, UGANDA
Rangelands are known for their potential in mitigating rising
atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the world. The
objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of soil organic
carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) in rangelands under traditional
management systems in Karamoja sub-region in Uganda, with a view to
facilitating the development of appropriate and strategic management
practices for the rangeland resources. The study was conducted during
the wet season of the sub-region. Four land use/cover types (cropland,
grassland, woodland and thickets/shrubland) were laid out in a
completely randomised design. Soil samples were collected from four
plots each one measuring 50 m x 40 m in each land use/cover type. A
diagonal design was used for sample collection at depths of 0 - 15 and
15 - 30 cm. Results showed that at both soil depths, croplands had the
lowest mean SOC and highest N; while grasslands had the highest SOC.
Also, cropland recorded the highest mean soil bulk density at both
depths. Based on soil analysis only, this study showed that conversion
to cropland over a specified period of time can considerably reduce the
ability of rangelands to sequester carbon. Further studies to include
assessment of carbon stocks in the respective vegetation biomass are
recommended.Les p\ue2turages sont connus pour leur potentiel
d\u2019att\ue9nuation des concentrations croissantes de dioxyde de
carbone (CO2) atmosph\ue9rique dans le monde. L\u2019objectif de
cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9tudier les mod\ue8les de
carbone organique du sol (COS) et d\u2019azote (N) dans les
p\ue2turages sous les syst\ue8mes de gestion traditionnels dans la
sous-r\ue9gion de Karamoja en Ouganda, en vue de faciliter le
d\ue9veloppement de pratiques de gestion appropri\ue9es et
strat\ue9giques pour les ressources des p\ue2turages.
L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e pendant la saison des
pluies de la sous-r\ue9gion. Quatre types d\u2019utilisation/de
couverture des terres (terres cultiv\ue9es, prairies, terres
bois\ue9es et fourr\ue9s/arbustes) ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9finis
dans un plan compl\ue8tement al\ue9atoire. Des \ue9chantillons de
sol ont \ue9t\ue9 pr\ue9lev\ue9s dans quatre parcelles mesurant
chacune 50 m x 40 m dans chaque type d\u2019utilisation/couverture des
terres. Une conception diagonale a \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9e pour la
collecte d\u2019\ue9chantillons \ue0 des profondeurs de 0 - 15 et
15 - 30 cm. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 qu\u2019aux deux
profondeurs du sol, les terres cultiv\ue9es avaient le COS moyen le
plus bas et le N le plus \ue9lev\ue9 ; tandis que les prairies
avaient le COS le plus \ue9lev\ue9. De plus, les terres
cultiv\ue9es ont enregistr\ue9 la densit\ue9 apparente moyenne du
sol la plus \ue9lev\ue9e aux deux profondeurs. Bas\ue9e
uniquement sur l\u2019analyse des sols, cette \ue9tude a montr\ue9
que la conversion en terres cultiv\ue9es sur une p\ue9riode de
temps sp\ue9cifi\ue9e peut r\ue9duire consid\ue9rablement la
capacit\ue9 des terres des p\ue2turages \ue0 s\ue9questrer le
carbone. D\u2019autres \ue9tudes pour inclure
l\u2019\ue9valuation des stocks de carbone dans la biomasse
v\ue9g\ue9tale respective sont recommand\ue9es
ANALYSIS OF ADAPTATION DIVERSITY TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE AMONG PASTORAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTH-EASTERN UGANDA
Adaptation framing remains one of the major challenges to achieving
greater implementation of adaptation initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa
(SSA). Using an integrated analytical framework that frames adaptation
indicators into three dimensions; adaptive, absorptive and
transformative capacities, we analysed the adaptation diversity in
Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. We found a strong perception of the
existence of climate variability and change manifested through the
occurrence of droughts, floods, hailstorms, late onset and early
rainfall onset. Absorptive capacity revealed varied status of asset
ownership, custodianships, and access to these assets, presence of
informal social safety nets, and social cohesion. Adaptive capacity
revealed the presence of a diversity of livelihood sources, livelihood
assets and associated income, but its human capital indicator revealed
considerably high illiteracy levels among respondents. Meanwhile,
transformative capacity revealed existence of network structures,
governance and institutions, facilitated access to early warning
information on pests, diseases and rainfall onset. Traditional
institutions and the justice system played a key role in conflict
resolution, mediation and negotiation for kraals establishment,
grazing, and watering rights. We conclude that pastoral communities in
Karamoja have a high inclination to maintenance of stability while
their flexibility and ability to change decreases with the intensity of
change pro-rata.Le cadrage de l\u2019adaptation reste l\u2019un des d\ue9fis
majeurs pour parvenir \ue0 une plus grande mise en \u153uvre des
initiatives d\u2019adaptation en Afrique subsaharienne (ASS). En
utilisant un cadre analytique int\ue9gr\ue9 qui encadre les
indicateurs d\u2019adaptation en trois dimensions; capacit\ue9s
d\u2019adaptation, d\u2019absorption et de transformation, nous avons
analys\ue9 la diversit\ue9 de l\u2019adaptation dans la
sous-r\ue9gion de Karamoja, en Ouganda. Nous avons trouv\ue9 une
forte perception de l\u2019existence de la variabilit\ue9 et des
changements climatiques qui se manifestent par la survenue de
s\ue9cheresses, d\u2019inondations, de temp\ueates de gr\ueale,
d\u2019apparition tardive et pr\ue9coce des pr\ue9cipitations. La
capacit\ue9 d\u2019absorption a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 des statuts
vari\ue9s d\u2018\ua0actifs\ua0de\ua0propri\ue9t\ue9, de
la protection de ses actifs et d\u2019acc\ue8s \ue0 ces actifs, la
pr\ue9sence des r\ue9seaux de la s\ue9curit\ue9 sociale
informels et la coh\ue9sion sociale. La capacit\ue9
d\u2019adaptation a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 la pr\ue9sence d\u2019une
diversit\ue9 de sources de subsistance, d\u2019actifs de subsistance
et de revenus associ\ue9s, mais son indicateur de capital humain a
r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 des niveaux d\u2019analphab\ue9tisme
consid\ue9rablement \ue9lev\ue9s parmi les r\ue9pondants.
Pendant ce temps, la capacit\ue9 de la transformation a
r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 l\u2019existence de structures de r\ue9seau,
de gouvernance et d\u2019institutions, a facilit\ue9
l\u2019acc\ue8s aux informations d\u2019alerte pr\ue9coce sur les
ravageurs, les maladies et l\u2019apparition des pluies. Les
institutions traditionnelles et le syst\ue8me judiciaire ont
jou\ue9 un r\uf4le cl\ue9 dans la r\ue9solution des conflits,
la m\ue9diation et la n\ue9gociation pour
l\u2019\ue9tablissement des \ue9tables et les droits de
p\ue2turage et d\u2019abreuvement. Nous concluons que les
communaut\ue9s pastorales du Karamoja ont une forte tendance au
maintien de la stabilit\ue9 tandis que leur flexibilit\ue9 et leur
capacit\ue9 \ue0 changer diminuent avec l\u2019intensit\ue9 du
changement au prorata
FACTORS DETERMINING INTENSITY OF CAMEL ADOPTION IN SEMI-ARID NORTH-EASTERN UGANDA
Integration of camel ( Camelus dromedarius ) production in the
traditional livestock systems is increasingly gaining significance as a
strategy for household adaptation to prolonged and recurrent droughts
in African arid and semi-arid lands. There is increasing interest in
promoting camels as a strategy to mitigate the effects of prolonged
droughts in communities where camels have not been reared before.
However, the intensity of camel adoption and the factors that drive
camel adoption process in semi-arid Uganda are not clear. The objective
of this study was to determine the level of intensity and
socio-economic factors influencing the intensity of camel adoption in
Karamoja sub-region in Uganda. Econometric results show that age the of
a household head was significantly associated with the intensity of
camel adoption; whereas household size, credit access and crop area
cultivated significantly decreased with the intensity of camel adoption
in the region. Increasing camel adoption was possible with increasing
access to capital; as well as carefully balancing the competition for
labour with crop cultivation.L\u2019int\ue9gration de la production de chameaux (Camelus
dromedarius) dans les syst\ue8mes d\u2019\ue9levage traditionnels
prend de plus en plus d\u2019importance en tant que strat\ue9gie
d\u2019adaptation des m\ue9nages aux s\ue9cheresses
prolong\ue9es et r\ue9currentes dans les regions arides et
semi-arides d\u2019Afrique. Il y a un int\ue9r\ueat croissant pour
la promotion des chameaux comme strat\ue9gie pour att\ue9nuer les
effets des s\ue9cheresses prolong\ue9es dans les communaut\ue9s
o\uf9 les chameaux n\u2019ont pas \ue9t\ue9 \ue9lev\ue9s
auparavant. Cependant, l\u2019intensit\ue9 de l\u2019adoption des
chameaux et les facteurs qui motivent le processus d\u2019adoption des
chameaux dans la r\ue9gion semi-aride de l\u2019Ouganda ne sont pas
clairs. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de
d\ue9terminer le niveau d\u2019intensit\ue9 et les facteurs
socio-\ue9conomiques influen\ue7ant l\u2019intensit\ue9 de
l\u2019adoption de chameaux dans la sous-r\ue9gion de Karamoja en
Ouganda. Les r\ue9sultats \ue9conom\ue9triques ont montr\ue9
que l\u2019\ue2ge du chef de m\ue9nage \ue9tait
significativement associ\ue9 \ue0 l\u2019intensit\ue9 de
l\u2019adoption de chameaux ; tandis que la taille des m\ue9nages,
l\u2019acc\ue8s au cr\ue9dit et la superficie cultiv\ue9e ont
consid\ue9rablement diminu\ue9 avec l\u2019intensit\ue9 de
l\u2019adoption de chameaux dans la r\ue9gion. L\u2019augmentation
de l\u2019adoption de chameaux \ue9tait possible avec un acc\ue8s
accru au capital; ainsi que d\u2019\ue9quilibrer soigneusement la
concurrence pour la main-d\u2019\u153uvre avec la culture des
plantes
Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda
This is a research article on participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in Kumi district among farmersA participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in the Kumi district among farmers (n=30) in the sub-Counties of Ongino, Kumi and Kanyum. An arange of opinions were collected to identify farmers’ selection criteria based on different sensory attributes and their most preferred genotypes for vegetable use. A Apreference analysis was carried out to obtain quantitative preference scores of each plot. This was followed by organoleptic tests which included attributes like taste, aroma and texture of the genotypes at the vegetative and immature R4 stages. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also held to find a consensus of the independent evaluations made by individual farmers. Data for sixteen (16) cowpea genotypes were collected at the different above-mentioned stages. Quantitative data were analyzed based on farmers’ scores made on the different evaluated attributes and ANOVA was used to provide mean differences between location, gender and genotype at a significant level
of 5%. The preference score for each of the varieties tested was determined and presented.
Data from FGDs were grouped, similarities and differences were later determined
depending on their level of importance to the farmers. Significant differences (p<0.05) in farmer choices were observed for leaf taste, immature pod aroma, taste and texture; mature pod aroma, taste between farmer groups, age genotype and gender. Irrespective of age, gender, farmer group and genotype, farmers seemed to give more importance to the smooth texture, little hard leaves when chewing, sweet taste with a mild aroma (leaves) and a moderate aroma (pods). Majority (9%) of the farmers preferred Ebelat (landrace) at V4 stage; this was followed by Danila (8.7%). On the other hand,
UCUCOW1 (13% at immature and 10.2% at mature cooked R4 stage) followed by
Ebelat (9% and 9.8% for immature and mature R4 stage, respectively) were preferred by the majority of the farmers. In terms of sensory attributes, farmers preferred genotypes with a sweet taste, moderate aroma and tender texture. The information is a baseline for understanding key farmer selection criteria in the utilization of cowpea as a vegetable which can be used in generating a demand-led variety design for the crop
Farmers’ selection cues in cowpea for vegetable use in eastern Uganda
A participatory cowpea varietal selection was carried out in Eastern Uganda in Kumi district among farmers (n=30) in the sub-Counties of: Ongino, Kumi and Kanyum. A range of opinions were collected to identify farmers’ selection criteria based on different sensory attributes and their most preferred genotypes for vegetable use. A preference analysis was carried out to obtain quantitative preference scores of each plot. This was followed by organoleptic tests which included attributes like taste, aroma and texture of the genotypes at the vegetative and immature R4 stages. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also held to find consensus of the independent evaluations made by individual farmers. Data for sixteen (16) cowpea genotypes were collected at the different above mentioned stages. Quantitative data were analyzed based on farmers’ scores made on the different evaluated attributes and ANOVA was used to provide mean differences between location, gender and genotype at a significant level of 5%. Preference score for each of the varieties tested was determined and presented. Data from FGDs were grouped, similarities and differences were later determined depending on their level of importance to the farmers. Significant differences (p<0.05) in farmer choices were observed for leaf taste, immature pod aroma, taste and texture; mature pod aroma, taste between farmer groups, age genotype and gender. Irrespective of age, gender, farmer group and genotype, farmers seemed to give more importance to the smooth texture, little hard leaves when chewing, sweet taste with a mild aroma (leaves) and a moderate aroma (pods). Majority (9%) of the farmers preferred Ebelat (landrace) at V4 stage; this was followed by Danila (8.7%). On the other hand, UCUCOW1 (13% at immature and 10.2% at mature cooked R4 stage) followed by Ebelat (9% and 9.8% for immature and mature R4 stage, respectively) were preferred by majority of the farmers. In terms of sensory attributes, farmers preferred genotypes with sweet taste, moderate aroma and tender texture. The information is a baseline for understanding key farmer selection criteria in utilization of cowpea as a vegetable which can be used in generating a demand-led variety design for the crop. 
Evidence-based opportunities for out-scaling climate-smart agriculture in East Africa
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is being widely promoted as a solution for food insecurity
and climate change adaptation in food systems of sub-Saharan Africa, while simultaneously
reducing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions. Governments throughout Africa are writing
policies and programs to promote CSA practices despite uncertainty about the ability for
practices to meet the triple CSA objectives of CSA. We conducted a systematic review of 175
peer-reviewed and grey literature studies, to gauge the impact of over seventy potential CSA
practices on CSA outcomes in Tanzania and Uganda. Using a total of 6,342 observations, we
found that practice impacts were highly context (i.e. farming system and location) specific.
Nevertheless, practice effect across CSA outcomes generally agreed in direction. While our
results suggest that CSA is indeed possible, lack of mitigation data precludes a more
conclusive statement. Furthermore, the inclusion of potential adoption rates changes the
potential of CSA practices to achieve benefits at scale. Given the uncertainty and variable
impacts of practices across regions and outcomes, it is critical for decision makers to prioritize
practices based on their desired outcomes and local context
Water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) crop under selected soil and water conservation practices along the slope gradient in Ruzizi watershed, eastern D.R. Congo
Open Access Journal; Published online: 18 Oct 2022Maize (Zea mays L.) productivity is constrained by water shortages in the predominantly rainfed agriculture of the tropical semi-arid Ruzizi Plain, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region is characterized by a high seasonal and inter-annual rainfall variability and a frequent occurrence of consecutive dry days within growing seasons. Consequently, planning water utilization in rainfed agriculture has become complex, as appropriate soil water conservation (SWC) practices are lacking among most smallholder farmers. Identifying practices that increase water use efficiency (WUE) along the slope gradient is crucial for supporting maize production in the region. In this study, we assessed, for three growing seasons, the effectiveness of two SWC practices (tied ridges and Zai pits) in improving the WUE of two maize varieties along three slope gradients (0–2, 2–8, and 8–15%) in the tropical semi-arid Ruzizi Plain. In this area, rainfall amounts (142–289 mm) were consistently below the evapotranspiration demands (356–533 mm) across the three growing seasons. Tied ridges recorded the highest grain yield (2.16 t ha−1) and WUE (15.23 kg mm−1), especially at low slopes, when compared to Zai pits and conventional tillage. For all SWC practices, WUE decreased with the slope gradient (p < 0.01). Furthermore, a decrease in stored soil water (SWS) at silking and maturity stages (milk, dough, and dent stages) negatively affected the WUE. The variety had no significant effect on grain yield and WUE. Root biomass (RBM), shoot biomass (SBM), and leaf area index (LAI) at the flowering stage were the most associated with the WUE (R2 = 58.5%). In conclusion, tied ridges showed potential for improving maize WUE and yield in the water-deficient conditions that characterize the Ruzizi Plain, and could be promoted to improve the maize productivity among smallholder farmers
One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa
Recommended from our members
One hundred priority questions for the development of sustainable food systems in sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa