Assessing the value of agroforestry and food security among households in Isingiro District, South-western Uganda

Abstract

ABSTRACT Agroforestry trees have been used to enhance food production through a combination of soil nutrient management. The study aimed at assessing the value of agroforestry and food security among households practicing agroforestry in the Isingiro District. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design using household interviews and randomly sampling 284 households to obtain current qualitative and quantitative data. The study used multiple regressions to predict the value of selected dependent variables. The results indicated that households (49%) in Kabaare Parish, Kigyendwa (33%), and Kikokwa (18%) were food secure. Out of these, households that practiced agroforestry and were food secure accounted for 21% while 79% were insecure. The values of agroforestry and food security include economic, environmental, and social value. The major reasons for practicing agroforestry include an increase in food level and improvement of income. Few households in Kabaare (41%), Kigyendwa (22%), and Kikokwa (37%) had knowledge of agroforestry systems and their values. The variable with a positive but insignificant effect on the value of agroforestry and food production was land acreage, while the land size and monthly income had a negative and insignificant effect. The value of agroforestry and food security in the study area is still low. Therefore, there is a need for understanding households’ psychological and behavioral factors that hinder them from adopting agroforestry practices. It is vital that the government invests in capacity building of household farmers in agroforestry and food production, and reviews land policy to support households to strengthen their income base.