Abstract:

This study was conducted in the mid-Northern Ugandan dislricts of Nwoya. Gulu. Lira. Apach and
Oyam to characterise the coffee-banana agro forestry systems. Thirty fields with coffee-banana agroforestry
systems were selected and the level of field and crop management determined. Additionally, five coffee and
banana plants were randomly selected and assessed fbr pests and diseases. All Helds had Robusta coffee type
whereas cooking bananas were the dominant clone (45%). Field management was limited. More than 80% of
the fields had no bands, trenches or cover-crops. Most of the fields were lowly weeded (46.7%) and mulched
(60%). Intercropping w as low with 20% having maize or cassava. Similarly, most fields were lowly inter-planted
with trees (40%) with only 28 tree shrub species and dominated by fmii trees; namely oranges (70%), mangoes
(63.3%) and pawpaw (56.7%) of the total number of tree species observed in the systems. Generally, 40% of
coffee Helds had not been de-suckered, pruned or changed cycle. However, at least 35% of the coffee fields were
highly pruned and (heir cycle changed. For bananas, more than 70% of the fields were not de-suckered. propped
or their conns removed, bin 63% of them had been de-lea fed and de-budded at a low io moderate level. Leaf
skeletonisers and coffee leaf rust were the most observed pest (77.3%) and disease (15.3%) respectively. Pest
damage was limited in bananas, though black Sigaloka was the commonest disease observed (56%). It is
concluded that the region has embraced the systems but there is need for farmers to be provided with the right
species of co flee, banana and trees.