Technologies for intensification in SW Uganda ... - Foodnet - cgiar

o Citrus: can best be grown at altitudes < 1500 m.a.s.l. Only grafted material should be used.
Greening disease is a major production constraint and is difficult to control.
o Mango: can be grown at altitudes < 1500 m.a.s.l. There is urgent need to introduce better
(grafted) planting material. Occasional fungicide application may be required.
o Passion fruits are widely produced. Viral diseases are a major production constraint for local
and improved material. Trelling systems are important and provide an interesting link to
agroforestry.
o Figs: have shown an excellent growth potential and are easy to propagate (cuttings) and to
process (drying). Early trials with 3 cultivars in Kabale and Mukono indicate good growth at
altitudes between 1200 and 2500 m.a.s.l. Figs are expected to grow well also in hot and dry
environments (northern Uganda).
o Guava: is widely grown for home consumption. Better planting material (seedless fruits)
should be introduced, management improved and processing be explored. The `strawberry
guava´ produces large number of small fruits and is ideal for children.
o Peaches and Nectarines are high priced, imported commodities in Kampala. Early trials in
Kabale show good growth potential above 1500 m.a.s.l. Grafted material and biannual heavy
pruning will be key to success.
o Early observations with almonds in Kabale are promising for this non-perishable cash crop.
o Grapes produce under highland conditions but like figs, can be produced at lower elevations
as well. Grapes probably produce better and with less disease problems in warmer and drier
environments.
o Loquats are widely grown in district centers and schools, often as ornamentals since fruit
production and quality of the material is low. Improved planting material will improve this.
o Oyster nut, a climber, is grown in some places of southwestern Uganda (Rukungiri). The
nutritious nut is an important commodity on markets in Tanzania.
o Tree tomato is commonly grown on farms. Production and quality is often low because of
poor planting materials and high pest and disease pressure which is usually not controlled.
Nuts
Macadamia nuts are a very promising cash crop. It grows well in similar highland environments
in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Few unimproved trees exist in Kabale District and produce nuts.
Only in Kenya a significant commercial Macadamia production and processing system exists. A
2-ways approach is proposed for the SW highlands: planting of rootstock from seed, that could be
imported from Butare (Rwanda) while elite materials are multiplied in mother gardens. Grafting
of macadamia is not easy and staff needs to be trained. Initial marketing and processing would
have to be done via Kenya until significant quantities exist in Uganda. However, local
consumption of unprocessed nuts is also common.
4.2 Livestock options
Some form of livestock is integrated in almost every farm in SW Uganda. They are kept for their
products but not as working animals. Manure from livestock forms an important part of farmers’
soil management strategies.
Dual purpose cattle
This is mainly based on the Ankole long horned cattle and Kigezi short horn. They are used for
several purposes like supply of milk, beef and cultural practices like the dowry. They are well
adapted to local conditions and have developed endemic stability to East Coast Fever. The
pockets of tsetse fly infestation have been mapped out by research. This information has been
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