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Farmers’ Perceptions, Socio‐economic and Political Stakes: What Inspires the Integration of Prunus africana On‐Farms in Central Uganda?

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Abstract

Globally, the diversity of indigenous medicinal tree species is threatened and yet such plants provide the least costly means of treatment for the poor. The factors that inspire adoption of such plants on farm are unclear. This study was conducted in communities adjacent to six protected areas in central Uganda, to (1) document the local uses of Prunus africana (Hook. f.) Kalkman, (2) assess the farmers’ perception towards integration of P. africana on farm, and (3) determine the factors that influence adoption of P. africana on farms. A total of 206 smallholder farmers were engaged through semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed in SPSS 20.0. Both material (medicine, timber, fuel) and non-material (windbreak, boundary marking and shade) uses were recognized. Up to 73% of the farmers perceived well the planting of P. africana on farms, and the positive perception evolved from training them in tree seed handling techniques, general nursery operations, and on-farm tree management. The farmers’ age, income and farm size were the most important factors predicting their readiness to integrate P. africana on-farm. However, their involvement was likely to only be beneficial if they get access to sufficient land and quality seedlings. Moreover, the farmers needed to be continuously provided with free/low cost seed/seedlings, trained in on farm tree management and soil fertility enhancement to approve integration of indigenous tree technologies.

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Fig. 1

Source: National Forestry Authority (NFA) GIS Unit, Kampala, 2018

Fig. 2

Photo: Charles Galabuzi 2017

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Acknowledgements

The fieldwork and write up of this study was funded by Government of Uganda through Makerere University, School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences and National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) respectively. We thank the scientists and technical personnel at the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), especially Dr. David Livingstone Hafashimana, and Mr. Denis Mujuni for assistance during fieldwork and sourcing of secondary data about the study species and forest communities. We are also grateful to the support of local people in the study areas during data collection. Other than stated, the authors declare no further conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), P.O. Box 1752, Kampala, Uganda

    Charles Galabuzi & Hillary Agaba

  2. National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), P.O. Box 295, Entebbe, Uganda

    Charles Galabuzi & Hillary Agaba

  3. Department of Forestry Biodiversity and Tourism, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Gerald Eilu

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  1. Charles Galabuzi
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Correspondence to Charles Galabuzi.

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Galabuzi, C., Agaba, H. & Eilu, G. Farmers’ Perceptions, Socio‐economic and Political Stakes: What Inspires the Integration of Prunus africana On‐Farms in Central Uganda?. Small-scale Forestry 20, 371–389 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11842-021-09472-x

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