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

These biological conservation measures may have to be supplemented by engineering
approaches where necessary, such as:
ο Storm drains
ο Channels
While the technical aspects of soil conservation are well studied and options have been
developed and documented, the scale of the work and its social organization are at the core of
the problem. Protecting hundreds of thousands of hectares of steep farmland and to organize
coordinated efforts by thousands of farmers is a real challenge. Recently, watershed
approaches that have been relatively successful in East Africa have been combined with
opportunities resulting from decentralized government structures and led to promising results
in a few cases that need to be replicated and further developed (Raussen et al, 2001).
• Soil fertility management
It is beyond the scope of this report to discuss soil fertility management options in detail.
However, the team observed a striking need for a rational approach to soil management as
described above. Currently at the extremes, some organizations advocate for organic inputs
only and condemn inorganic inputs as responsible for ‘spoiling the soil’ while at the other
extreme only inorganic inputs are seen as a meaningful input into soil management.
Publishing in appropriate form the many available results from research institutes, universities
and other organisations on the issue soil management in the SW highlands would be an
important step towards a more rational and coordinated approach to soil management.
In practice it is appropriate to promote concepts which include:
o Improved management and use of manure and compost
o In-situ production of organic inputs, such as improved fallows (and cover crops)
o Good agronomic practices such as appropriate tillage, crop rotation, intercropping etc.
o Strategic use of inorganic inputs where required and economical.
5.4 Trees and forest products
There are few places in East Africa where the role of trees in generating income is so clear than in
southwest Uganda. Trees are already used in many ways by farmers, but the use will need to be
intensified if key income generating opportunities are to be seized. Most of the best-bet crop and
livestock technologies require some form of input from trees. Examples of these are:
• Trelling systems for passion fruit and vanilla
• Stakes for climbing beans
• Support for banana branches
• Hedges for soil conservation
• Tree fallows for soil fertility management
• Fodder for livestock
• Construction for zero grazing
• Firewood for tea
Simply put, there will be limitations as to the development of these best-bet options in the absence
of improved management of trees in farming systems. This will involve making management
information and germplasm for a wider variety of species and technologies more available.
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