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 socio-economic 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.