Diversity of indigenous fruit trees in the traditional cotton‐millet farming system: the case of Adwari subcounty, Lira district, Uganda

Abstract

AbstractA field survey on indigenous fruit tree species (IFTS) was conducted in Adwari subcounty, Lira district between August 2004 and March 2005. The objectives were to: determine IFTS diversity in the traditional farming system; generate a species priority list, characterize and document the values of IFTS as perceived by farmers; and develop criteria for selecting IFTS for on‐farm cultivation. A questionnaire designed to capture socio‐economic data was administered to 120 randomly selected respondents. Farm walks were conducted to identify and assess the proportion of farmland under IFTS. Preference ranking was used to generate a species priority list. On‐farm diversity of IFTS was analyzed using Shannon–Wiener’s diversity index (H′). DAFOR scale was used to rate occurrence of IFTS on‐farm. The diversity of IFTS was relatively high (H′ = 2.164) although the average proportion of farmland under IFTS cover was low (23.3 ± 5%). Vitellaria paradoxa, Vitex doniana, Anona senegalensis and Tamarindus indica were most preferred by local people. The choice of IFTS for on‐farm cultivation varied from their food, medicinal to cash values. There is a need to formulate clear policies and by‐laws to encourage on‐farm cultivation of IFTS.