Livelihood Diversification Strategies and Soil Erosion on Mount Elgon, Eastern Uganda: A Socio-Economic Perspective

摘要

Land resources in Uganda are continuously shrinking and getting degraded despite being the main livelihood assets for rural communities. Using the modified household economic model, this study examines the socioeconomic factors and conditions affecting household productivity and land degradation on the slopes of Mt Elgon. Primary data were obtained through household survey conducted in Tsekululu Sub County, Bubulo County, Manafwa District, Eastern Uganda between May and August 2008. The results reveal that agriculture and dependence on park environmental resources as the main sources of livelihoods for the communities surrounding the park. Extraction of environmental resources from the park is dominated by the energetic, young and productive age groups. About 90% of the respondents use environmental resources as medicine, firewood, animal fodder, for domestic, agricultural, socio-cultural and commercial purposes. Results further indicate that age of household head, type of dwelling, size of land owned, private land ownership and park encroachment significantly affect household productivity at the 95% (p = 0.05) confidence level. Slash and burn accelerates soil erosion and reduces soil fertility in the study area while crop rotation and mulching enhance soil conservation. The insecure land tenure of the communities adjacent to the park compromises their ability to adopt soil conservation measures. It is recommended that land policies addressing the security of park adjacent communities and agricultural interventions focusing on agro forestry be formulated and implemented in the area. The communities should be mobilized to form needs-driven cooperative groups.