Abstract:

This study investigated the determinants of plot abandonment (unintentional fallows) and long fallows (intentional fallows) in order to propose policy interventions that lead to optimal and sustainable management of both cultivated and uncultivated land use systems in Kigezi highlands. Plot abandonment and long fallows are lands that lie idle for a considerable number of years rendering them economically undesirable. If unchecked, the two could eventually threaten the food security and retard the economic growth of small-scale farmers and the nation at large. Both descriptive and econometric techniques were used to analyze and discern factors that influence farmers' decision to subject land to different land uses. The analysis has shown that long fallows and abandonment land use types are distinct, common and account for over 25% of the total area surveyed. Both household and plot related factors significantly determined abandonment and long fallow decisions. Household factors such as age. and post primary education positively influenced farmers' decision to abandon plots, Therefore, more fallows and abandoned terraces were common with older farmers compared to younger ones. I lowever. farm size and household type had no significant influence on abandonment of plots. Plot variables such as slope and plot distance had the expected positive signs while soil fertility had a significant negative sign as predicted. The conclusion from this study is that land abandonment and other land use options arc significantly different from each other and farmers land use decisions are influenced by both socio-economic and biophysical characteristics. Three main policy implications emerged from the findings. Firstly, two types of interventions are needed. Those aimed at highly cultivable, moderate slopes and others on highly uncullivable and fragile areas. For areas that are highly cultivable and less fragile, the probability of adoption and intensity of use of appropriate agrobased interventions is likely to be very high. Highly fragile areas could require specific policy interventions that arc profitable and yet allowing farmers to keep the land under cover for a very long time. Secondly, policy makers should not seek to target their interventions only to young farmers’ and less educated farmers, as both age and farmers with primary education categories are associated with less abandoned terraces. Lastly, policy makers at all levels should provide farmers with incentives aimed at minimizing distances to plot fields (c.g. through land exchanges) since distance to plots significantly influences farmers decision on which plot should be left idle despite its inherent potential to be cultivated.