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The Future of Smallholder Farming in Eastern Africa - Uganda ...

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the l<strong>in</strong>k to the Soil and Water Conservation Branch (<strong>of</strong> the M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture), the<br />

Prov<strong>in</strong>cial Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, and the National Environmental and Management Authority.<br />

6.2 Conclusions<br />

This study has established that social capital has a significant role to play <strong>in</strong> soil conservation<br />

<strong>in</strong> marg<strong>in</strong>al areas. Although adoption <strong>of</strong> soil conservation measures is a decision taken by<br />

<strong>in</strong>dividual households, the <strong>in</strong>tensity <strong>of</strong> adoption is considerably enhanced where appropriate<br />

forms <strong>of</strong> social capital are either already <strong>in</strong> place or are be<strong>in</strong>g developed. This is important<br />

consider<strong>in</strong>g that soil conservation is central to rural development and generally leads to<br />

<strong>in</strong>creased <strong>in</strong>comes, food security, and decreased poverty <strong>in</strong> marg<strong>in</strong>al areas.<br />

<strong>The</strong> forms <strong>of</strong> social capital that are found to be most relevant <strong>in</strong> the study are density<br />

<strong>of</strong> memberships, membership diversity, participation <strong>in</strong> decision mak<strong>in</strong>g, and cognitive social<br />

capital. <strong>The</strong>se forms <strong>of</strong> social capital do not act <strong>in</strong> the same direction. For <strong>in</strong>stance,<br />

membership density is positive with respect to <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> soil conservation, but it has no<br />

discernible direct <strong>in</strong>fluence on use <strong>of</strong> resources such as manure and labor or on agricultural<br />

productivity. <strong>The</strong> <strong>in</strong>fluence is <strong>in</strong>direct albeit through soil conservation <strong>in</strong>vestments. Whereas<br />

cognitive social capital raises the perception or awareness <strong>of</strong> a soil erosion problem, the<br />

variable reduces <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> soil conservation.<br />

<strong>The</strong>refore, a number <strong>of</strong> steps are recommended to <strong>in</strong>crease membership <strong>of</strong> groups,<br />

without undue concern for the participation <strong>of</strong> members or for mak<strong>in</strong>g groups heterogeneous.<br />

Some <strong>of</strong> these measures are awareness campaigns, NGO formation, formulation <strong>of</strong> new goals<br />

or objectives for exist<strong>in</strong>g groups, and re<strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> the catchment approach.

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