Integrating local knowledge with tree diversity analyses to optimize on-farm tree species composition for ecosystem service delivery in coffee agroforestry systems of Uganda

Coffee agroforestry systems deliver ecosystem services (ES) critical for rural livelihoods like food but also disservices that constrain livelihoods like fostering coffee-pests. Since such ES are tree-based, maximizing ES and limiting constraints requires knowledge on optimizing on-farm tree composition especially trees adapted to local conditions. The study was in three sites along a rainfall gradient in Central Uganda where we: assessed tree diversity in coffee agroforestry; ranked tree suitability for providing ES according to farmers' knowledge; and then proposed an approach for optimizing on-farm tree composition for delivery of ES. We collected data on tree diversity and, farmers' knowledge of tree species and the ES they provide. Farmers ranked ES in order of importance to their livelihoods ('Needs rank') and ranked trees according to suitability for providing ES. Using Bradley Terry modeling, we grouped trees into 'ES groups' according to suitability for providing different ES and ranked 'ES groups' according to tree diversity ('Diversity rank'). Tree-suitability for providing ES and importance of ES to farmers varied with rainfall regime but tree diversity did not match farmers' needs for ES. We propose the FaD–FaN (matching farm tree diversity to farmers' needs) approach for optimizing tree species composition with respect to tree-suitability for farmers' priority ES. Farmers locally prioritize ES needed and identify trees that best serve such ES. The approach then focuses on modifying on-farm tree diversity to match/suit farmers' priority ES. The FaD–FaN approach caters for varying socio-ecological conditions; it's adaptable for other coffee and cocoa-growing areas worldwide

Redesigning Delivery: Boosting Adoption of Coffee Management Practices in Uganda. The climate smart investment pathway approach and the farmer segmentation tool

Coffee is an important crop for the Ugandan economy, as it earns the country US$415 million in foreign export revenues and supports 1.7 million smallholder farmers (UCDA, 2016). Nevertheless, coffee yields have stagnated for over a decade, despite concerted efforts to improve productivity. Climate change is increasing the pressure on the sector, and the effects are already being felt. Climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices are being promoted as a means to help farmers cope with climate change. The CSA training package focuses on planning good agricultural practices in a way that the changing climate is taken into consideration. The training package for coffee consists of a large number of practices (soil and water conservation, tree management, quality of coffee, among others), and is currently provided all in one go as a complete package. This approach is cumbersome and not aligned to pertinent needs of coffee farmers, as coffee is a perennial crop and needs continuous care throughout the year. To address the need for better targeting of practices, this Info Note presents two complementary approaches: the climate smart investment pathways (CSIPs) and farmer segmentation. The CSIPs break down the full training package of CSA practices into more manageable subsets of practices. These smaller packages are aimed at being more aligned with the structural (resource endowments) and functional (entrepreneurship) characteristics of different types of farmers. CSIPs build up a sequential and incremental approach to implementing the practices. The farmer segmentation tool differentiates the coffee farmers into different groups, based on their assets and entrepreneurial characteristics. These segmentations will help advise the relevant stakeholders that support farmers on how to best engage with and train farmers in the most relevant practices (based on the CSIP) by taking their capacity and willingness to implement the practices into consideration. This Info Note will first go through the development process of the CSIPs, based on the results from a study on Robusta coffee systems in Luweero and Nakasongola. Then it will move onto the process and results of the farmer segmentation work done in the Greater Luweero region (which encompasses Luweero and Nakasongola). The implications of this work will be discussed and recommendations will be made for further work and use of these methods

The Shade Tree Advice Tool

Key messages: Climate change adaptation for coffee and cocoa farming requires low cost and multipurpose solutions, such as shade trees. Selecting appropriate shade trees is paramount for maximizing tree-based ecosystem services while minimizing disservices. The shade tree advice tool presented here guides coffee and cocoa farmers on choosing shade trees whose ecosystem services will best meet their needs, based on fellow coffee farmers' local knowledge in their region

Influence of shaded systems on Xylosandrus compactus infestation in Robusta coffee along a rainfall gradient in Uganda

We investigated the relationship between characteristics of coffee shade systems and coffee pest infestation by the black coffee twig borer Xylosandrus compactus Eichhoff. The pest deprives Uganda of $40 millions annually, yet its control remains inadequate. The present study considered three rainfall zones in Central Uganda and 50 coffee plots that were randomly selected from each rainfall zone. Data were collected on X. compactus infestation and key shade indicators: canopy cover, tree-species densities, diameter at breast height (DBH) and ratio of coffee to banana. Cluster analysis revealed two coffee shade systems: a matured shade tree (MST) system and a young poly-culture (YPC) system. Xylosandrus compactus infestations were significantly less in the MST system than in the YPC system and significantly less in the low rainfall zone than in the high rainfall zone. An increase in the density of Carica papaya and Albizia chinensis significantly reduced and increased X. compactus infestation, respectively. A higher average DBH of individual trees and a higher density of trees that exude sap significantly lowered X. compactus infestation. Suppressing X. compactus infestation requires bigger trees, a high density of sap-exuding trees and no Albizia chinensis. Further research should aim to investigate X. compactus flight activity and microclimate influencing X. compactus population dynamics

Evaluating combined effects of pesticide and crop nutrition (with N, P, K and Si) on weevil damage in East African Highland Bananas

Banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus, Germar) is a major pest in East African Highland Banana. The influence of crop nutritional status on weevil damage is poorly understood. Nutrient availability affects the nutritional quality of plants for weevils and may affect weevil damage. Here, we evaluate the effect of insecticides alone and in combination with fertilisers (N, P, K and Si) on weevil damage using data from two experiments in central and southwest Uganda. In the first experiment, we varied chlorpyrifos and application rates of N, P and K. In the second experiment, we varied the application rates of K and Si. Treatment effects were analysed using generalised linear mixed models with a negative binomial distribution. In the first experiment, chlorpyrifos reduced and N increased weevil damage, while P and K had no significant effect. In the K or Si application rates reduced weevil damage compared with the control. We conclude that the combined application of chlorpyrifos with K and Si fertilisers can contribute to weevil damage control on sites with low nutrient availability and should form part of integrated weevil management in bananas. Future studies should assess how much reduction in insecticide use is possible in EAHB with judicious input rates

Evaluating combined effects of pesticide and crop nutrition (with N, P, K and Si) on weevil damage in East African Highland Bananas.

Banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus, Germar) is a major pest in East African Highland Banana. The influence of crop nutritional status on weevil damage is poorly understood. Nutrient availability affects the nutritional quality of plants for weevils and may affect weevil damage. Here, we evaluate the effect of insecticides alone and in combination with fertilisers (N, P, K and Si) on weevil damage using data from two experiments in central and southwest Uganda. In the first experiment, we varied chlorpyrifos and application rates of N, P and K. In the second experiment, we varied the application rates of K and Si. Treatment effects were analysed using generalised linear mixed models with a negative binomial distribution. In the first experiment, chlorpyrifos reduced and N increased weevil damage, while P and K had no significant effect. In the K or Si application rates reduced weevil damage compared with the control. We conclude that the combined application of chlorpyrifos with K and Si fertilisers can contribute to weevil damage control on sites with low nutrient availability and should form part of integrated weevil management in bananas. Future studies should assess how much reduction in insecticide use is possible in EAHB with judicious input rates