Abstract:

The tree biotechnology project (TBP) carried out a baseline study of socio-economic
impacts of clone eucalyptus technology on livelihoods in different agro-ecological zones
of Uganda in November, 2006. The purpose of the baseline study was to determine the
influence of soeio-eeonomic factors on the uptake of clone eucalyptus growing in
Uganda. The specific objectives were to; 1) compile baseline data on production,
marketing, demand and supply dynamics and utilization of Eucalyptus in Uganda; and 2)
determine farmers' preferences among the Eucalyptus clones being tested on-farm.
The study covered key agro-ecological zones of Uganda (Lake Victoria crescent, South
East [Busoga], Eastern [Teso], Southern drylands, Southern lowlands and Southern
highlands) where the Tree Bio Technology Project has been operating since 2002. Six
sites/districts were randomly sampled for this baseline survey: Wakiso, Mayuge, Kumi,
Ntungamo, Bushenyi and Kabarole. The study employed a qualitative survey approach to
generate information from trial farmers and communities adjacent to the trial sites.
Farmers' preferences from the 12 clones under evaluation were determined through farm
walks and preference ranking exercises carried out during focus group discussions. An
open ended questionnaire and a checklist guided both the key informant interviews and
focus group discussions. Data analysis involved transcribing and sorting information
according to themes.