Abstract:

Bukedi sub zone is one of the agro ecological areas within Uganda’s south eastern agro ecological zone (U’SEAEZ). A farming systems and livelihoods analysis study was conducted in the six districts of Budaka, Busia, Butaleja, Kibuku, Pallisa and Tororo. The purpose of the study was to generate an updated information and knowledge on the emerging farming systems and livelihoods of the people in the sub zone and develop an adjusted research agenda that responds to the current demands of clients in Bukedi sub zone. A Participatory and inclusive process involving research scientists, district technical teams, local government leaders and development partners was used to select the study sites and to develop a roadmap for collecting and collating data for the study. Two sub counties were selected from every district each constituting either wet or dry farming systems.. Pre-testing was conducted in Naboa Parish of Budaka district with 30 respondents. Enumerators were recruited and trained to collect data. FGD’s and key informant interviews were also conducted in each survey site to obtain expert view and information on various aspects of farming systems and livelihood options. 20% of the respondents were female because the study targeted male headed households Most of the respondents were in the 38 -47 age group indicating majority of the respondents are productive youth in Bukedi. Busia district (25%) had the highest fraction of elderly > 58 and Budaka (11.4%) the least. Mahabile et al., (2005) highlights that age of the household head measures accumulated farming experience and social standing in rural communities. The study found out that the main constraint in the marketing system across the six districts was low market prices (20.8%) and lack of market information (15.6%). Challenges limiting crop production in Bukedi sub zone are Weeds, Pests and diseases were the most cited challenges hindering crop production. Respondents also acknowledged drought/floods, lack of labour, lack of inputs and low prices among others. Results showed that livestock production faces a number of challenges which included diseases, poor breeds, lack of veterinary services and lack of grazing land. Decline of agricultural productivity in Uganda could be as a result of little use of modern inputs,yet about 30% of Ugandan soils are categorized as being of low productivity. The low level of modern input use is due to lack of an efficient distribution system that would ensure timely availability of inputs at reasonable prices. There is need to carry out studies on productivity efficiency and input use to determine product-input combination and product-product mix to increase productivity. The research needs identified from the study include studies on return to factors of production of key enterprises, determining cost-effective production systems adaptable by farmers, proper assessment of weather pattern relative to these zones , understanding why farmers have failed to control Striga hermonthica despite the existing interventions. The opportunities that exist in the sub zone are availability of development partners for example Action AID Uganda, World Vision, Multi-stake holder Innovation platforms for key priority commodities such as cassava and rice have been established to improve marketing service delivery and enabling policies. Sustainable land management (SLM) techniques/technologies that are ready for scaling up in the appropriate farming systems like terracing to control soil erosion .It was recommended that Research should be intensified in the area of identifying well adapted, high yielding varieties of crops within the sub zone of sustainable farming systems approach to boost productivity and livelihoods of small holder farmers. There is need to carry out studies on productivity efficiency and input use to determine product-input combination and product-product mix to increase productivity and to establish the major constraints limiting on-farm production and determine cost-effective production systems adaptable by farmers.