Economics of Grass Strips Used as Sediment Filters in the Riparian Zones of Lake Victoria, Uganda

Type Journal Article - Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
Title Economics of Grass Strips Used as Sediment Filters in the Riparian Zones of Lake Victoria, Uganda
Author(s)
Volume 37
Issue 9
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 1040-1062
URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21683565.2013.820250#.VbIL9fntmko
Abstract
Land-use change in the riparian zones has lead to flow of sediments and nutrients into Lake Victoria. Using net present value (NPV) and sensitivity analysis techniques, economic viability of Paspalum, lemon, and elephant grasses as sediment filters under maize production are determined. Findings reveal that grass strips in maize production generates NPVs of 1,620 €ha-1, 1,736 €ha-1, and 1,766 €ha-1 for maize + Paspalum, maize + lemon and maize + elephant grass, respectively, at 5% discount rate. Sensitivity analyses show, NPVs are stable to varying discount rates but not to yield declines in maize and grasses. Overall, integrated land use to reduce sediment and nutrient fluxes is a more acceptable solution to land-constrained farmers.

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