Uganda's drylands occupy what is commonly referred to as the "cattle corridor", an area of approx... more Uganda's drylands occupy what is commonly referred to as the "cattle corridor", an area of approximately 84,000 km 2 , stretching from the north-east, through central to south-east of the country. The major problems in Uganda's drylands include overgrazing, deforestation, inappropriate farming systems, land and tree tenure and bush burning. Due to the increasing demand for charcoal and other tree related products derived from the drylands, there is a big decline in the tree cover in these areas, justifying the need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address this and other environmental issues. A strategy for agroforestry development in the drylands of Uganda, therefore, needs urgent formulation and implementation. The strategy can draw experiences from work initiated in agroforestry research and development activities that have been implemented in the country over the last fifteen years. Opportunities for promoting agroforestry in the drylands of Uganda are identified. The paper recommends a number of approaches for promotion of agroforestry in drylands, which include among others; ecological and socio-economic surveys and inventories of traditionally valued and potential agroforestry species, research trials, propagation and management of potential trees and shrubs. The paper recommends that the strategy should aim at promoting the recommended activities through strengthening of existing initiatives in dryland agroforestry in Uganda.
A thesis submitted in candidature for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (Agroforestry) of Bangor ... more A thesis submitted in candidature for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (Agroforestry) of Bangor University.
The increase in global climate change incidents is a glaring indication that more pragmatic and d... more The increase in global climate change incidents is a glaring indication that more pragmatic and direct approaches to tree and forest management are urgently needed. A study was conducted around Mount Elgon Uganda between June 2018 and December 2019. The objectives were to: i) determine the socio-economic characteristics of women and youth farmers engaged in agroforestry, ii) determine the relationship between women and youth farmers’ characteristics in adoption of tree technologies and related decisions, and iii) assess the incentives, challenges and strategies for promoting agroforestry technologies’ adoption in the region. Data were collected from 250 women and youths using focus group discussions, semi-structured, and key informant interviews. Results showed that engagements in agroforestry practices attracted largely (82%) of uneducated women and youths and basic methods and tools were used to farm. Up to 70% of women and youth relied on crop farming as a major source of income, earning about USD$ 250 perannum. Farm and family size were positively (P>0.0001) related to tree adoption decisions while farmer capacity building activities (such as training, farmer guided field tours, and participatory farmer trial’s establishments) and access to low-cost tree seedlings motivated their involvement in tree planting. Land scarcity, soil, water, and tree conservation issues and shortage of desired tree species affected the extent of tree growing in both women and youth-led households. The suggested strategies comprised strengthening farmer capacity-building programs and upholding soil and water conservation technologies. Agroforestry has the potential to address the challenges related to land scarcity and shortage of desired tree products in women and youth-led households around Mount Elgon. However, the women and youths involved in farming activities were generally poor, illiterate and faced issues of land insecurity. These factors, limited their full potential and interest in agroforestry. A significant increase in tree adoption rates by women and youths will be achieved with increased training on tree seed collection and pre-treatment, reforestation programs as well as tree pest and disease control.
Uganda's drylands occupy what is commonly referred to as the "cattle corridor", an area of approx... more Uganda's drylands occupy what is commonly referred to as the "cattle corridor", an area of approximately 84,000 km 2 , stretching from the north-east, through central to south-east of the country. The major problems in Uganda's drylands include overgrazing, deforestation, inappropriate farming systems, land and tree tenure and bush burning. Due to the increasing demand for charcoal and other tree related products derived from the drylands, there is a big decline in the tree cover in these areas, justifying the need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address this and other environmental issues. A strategy for agroforestry development in the drylands of Uganda, therefore, needs urgent formulation and implementation. The strategy can draw experiences from work initiated in agroforestry research and development activities that have been implemented in the country over the last fifteen years. Opportunities for promoting agroforestry in the drylands of Uganda are identified. The paper recommends a number of approaches for promotion of agroforestry in drylands, which include among others; ecological and socio-economic surveys and inventories of traditionally valued and potential agroforestry species, research trials, propagation and management of potential trees and shrubs. The paper recommends that the strategy should aim at promoting the recommended activities through strengthening of existing initiatives in dryland agroforestry in Uganda.
A thesis submitted in candidature for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (Agroforestry) of Bangor ... more A thesis submitted in candidature for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (Agroforestry) of Bangor University.
The increase in global climate change incidents is a glaring indication that more pragmatic and d... more The increase in global climate change incidents is a glaring indication that more pragmatic and direct approaches to tree and forest management are urgently needed. A study was conducted around Mount Elgon Uganda between June 2018 and December 2019. The objectives were to: i) determine the socio-economic characteristics of women and youth farmers engaged in agroforestry, ii) determine the relationship between women and youth farmers’ characteristics in adoption of tree technologies and related decisions, and iii) assess the incentives, challenges and strategies for promoting agroforestry technologies’ adoption in the region. Data were collected from 250 women and youths using focus group discussions, semi-structured, and key informant interviews. Results showed that engagements in agroforestry practices attracted largely (82%) of uneducated women and youths and basic methods and tools were used to farm. Up to 70% of women and youth relied on crop farming as a major source of income, earning about USD$ 250 perannum. Farm and family size were positively (P>0.0001) related to tree adoption decisions while farmer capacity building activities (such as training, farmer guided field tours, and participatory farmer trial’s establishments) and access to low-cost tree seedlings motivated their involvement in tree planting. Land scarcity, soil, water, and tree conservation issues and shortage of desired tree species affected the extent of tree growing in both women and youth-led households. The suggested strategies comprised strengthening farmer capacity-building programs and upholding soil and water conservation technologies. Agroforestry has the potential to address the challenges related to land scarcity and shortage of desired tree products in women and youth-led households around Mount Elgon. However, the women and youths involved in farming activities were generally poor, illiterate and faced issues of land insecurity. These factors, limited their full potential and interest in agroforestry. A significant increase in tree adoption rates by women and youths will be achieved with increased training on tree seed collection and pre-treatment, reforestation programs as well as tree pest and disease control.
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Papers by Clement Okia