Abstract
The current agriculture land uses around Kibale National Park forest have been expanding towards the forest area threatening its conservation efforts and this has contributed to crop raiding and destruction to the neighbouring agricultural communities. This study was conducted to identify and assess the suitability of major agricultural land uses around Kibale National Park. The major agricultural land uses included; Banana (Musa spp), Maize (Zea mays) and Tea production (Camellia sinensis) and these were identified using three randomly selected transects of 5 km per transect, and obtaining information using a structured questionnaire administered to 30 key farming households near Kibale National Park. Soil samples were also taken within the identified major agricultural land uses at the depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Physical suitability of the major agricultural land-uses was assessed by matching their requirements with existing land qualities extracted from the Uganda soil memoires. Results showed that, western part of Kabarole District is highly suitable for tea production, the southern part is highly suitable for maize and the northern part is highly suitable for banana. The central part of Kabarole was found to be highly suitable for both banana and maize. The study finally recommended a buffer zone of 3.5 km from the national park planted with tea and eucalyptus around the national park boundary for crop defense separating agricultural communities and Kibale National Park since there not affected by animal raids and destruction. Key words: Major agricultural land use, land qualities, land suitability.
Highlights
Agricultural land suitability assessment is a key process to ensure sustainable crop production in particular agroecological zone in relation to the environment (Elsheikh et al, 2012)
This study was conducted to identify and assess the suitability of major agricultural land uses around Kibale National Park
The major agricultural land uses included; Banana (Musa spp), Maize (Zea mays) and Tea production (Camellia sinensis) and these were identified using three randomly selected transects of 5 km per transect, and obtaining information using a structured questionnaire administered to 30 key farming households near Kibale National Park
Summary
Agricultural land suitability assessment is a key process to ensure sustainable crop production in particular agroecological zone in relation to the environment (Elsheikh et al, 2012). Conflicts between communities and wildlife exist as people argue that, wild animals trespass and vandalize their crops on their lands (Laudati, 2010; Sifuna, 2005) On another hand, environment conservationists assert that the ever growing human population has encroached on wild life existence in search of highly suitable agricultural land, where crops are raided and damaged by animals (Sitati et al, 2005; Oerke et al, 1994). Environment conservationists assert that the ever growing human population has encroached on wild life existence in search of highly suitable agricultural land, where crops are raided and damaged by animals (Sitati et al, 2005; Oerke et al, 1994) Such incidences contribute to approximately 86 and 88% of farmer’s loss in Africa (Mackenzie and Ahabyona, 2012; Naughton-Treves, 1997; Newmark et al, 1994; Weber et al, 2007).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
