Abstract:

Agroforestry is a name for all land-use practices/systems in which trees or shrubs are deliberately
grown in association with agricultural crops, pastures or livestock. In more simple terms agroforestry is
the growing and management of trees on farms for the benefit of the farmer and the environment.
1.2 The need for agroforestry in Uganda
Increase in poverty levels, food insecurity, declining tree cover, energy deficits and environmental
degradation are some of the major challenges facing many farming communities in Uganda. Forests
and trees play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Most of Uganda's forests have become
conservation areas where people's access is limited. On the other hand expansion of agricultural
activities continues to claim forested lands and extensive harvesting accelerates the degradation of
savannah woodlands and bush land. Increasing land degradation due to high population densities,
shortages of tree products (wood and non-wood), low incomes in rural areas, food and nutritional
deficits, and loss of biodiversity are some of the major reasons why trees should be grown on farms