Agro-Biodiversity Potential of Smallholder Farms in a Dissected Highland Plateau of Western Uganda

Type Journal Article - East Africa PLEC General Meeting
Title Agro-Biodiversity Potential of Smallholder Farms in a Dissected Highland Plateau of Western Uganda
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2003
URL http://archive.unu.edu/env/plec/clusters/Eastafrica/nov2001/Tumuhairwe.pdf
Abstract
Uganda’s hilly and mountainous areas have been globally designated as a centre of plant diversity reflected in large number of afromomtane plant species, land use types and crops. Current population densities range between 200-700 persons per square kilometer. And contribute to reduced vegetative cover and loss in biodiversity. A study was carried out to develop acceptable technologies of biodiversity conservation in agricultural systems. Methods used included community workshops, line and belt transect walks. Eight main land use types were identified within the landscape each with different field type combinations. The backslope of the landscape had greatest land use stages (23) and shoulders had the least (15). Bushwere alone had 6 land use stages and 194 field types and was selected as PLEC demonstration site. Agricultural diversification contributed about 60% of total income. Diverse plant species were variously used for construction, roofing, granaries, thatching etc. The main incentive to conserve agro-biodiversity on farms was food security. Others were cash income and socio-cultural and economic benefits. Overall 7 modules for sustainable agrobiodiversity conservation were developed.

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