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. 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
gro-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: Waldso, 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.
Results revealed low levels of eucalyptus growing in the agro-ecological zones of eastern
Uganda. In Mayuge, Eucalyptus tree cover was estimated at less than 1% of the total land
area. In contrast, Eucalyptus is the dominant tree species in the western zones surveyed
representing an estimated 2-5% of the total land area.
Clonal eucalyptus growing potentially influences consumption of tree products by
households. The main products are firewood, building poles, charcoal and timber. The
service role of trees was given secondary consideration and included provision of shade,
windbreaks as well as micro climate moderation. Clonal eucalyptus has potential impact
on the sources of these products; distances to sources, duration of collection expeditions,
quantities of product collected and used in households.
The main constraints include land shortage, lack of technical skills in tree growing,
damage by pests e.g. termites and lack of planting material. The long gestation period
discourages tree growing as well as a general laxity by farmers towards growing trees,
founded on the perception that trees occur naturally. These constraints are anticipated to
affect the level of clonal eucalyptus up take by farmers, and subsequently impact on the
livelihoods and environment.
The baseline established high interest in clonal eucalyptus due to its fast growth, big size
and less susceptibility to pests and disease attack compared to local Eucalyptus. Based on
these attributes, initial preference among the clones was given to GU7 and GU8. Farming
communities, however, sought for more access to clonal eucalyptus planting material.
The challenge remains in generating sufficient supply to satisfy this high demand.