Upland rice growing: A potential solution to declining crop yields and the degradation of the Doho wetlands, Butaleja district-Uganda

Abstract

The paper presents results of a study conducted among 360 small-scale paddy farmers in Butaleja District from February 2005 to February 2006 which demonstrated that paddy yields were significantly less than those reported for Upland rice varieties, which raises the question of the efficacy of paddy rice growing as an income-generating strategy, and resultant costs of degrading the Doho Wetlands. It proposes the promotion of Upland rice growing as an alternative that could not only raise incomes of local farmers but also prevent the further degradation of the Doho Wetlands (DW). Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and documentary analysis. It was established that rice yields were significantly (p<0.05) higher during the long rainy season (March to June) than during the short rainy season (August to October). The farmers within the Doho Rice Scheme (DRS) had significantly (p<0.05) higher yields than their counterparts the out-growers (OGS) and farmers in the seasonal Nambaale Wetland (NWF). Prior to the 1980s paddy rice growing significantly improved the household incomes of rural farmers in the area when yields of up to 1,000 kg/acre were attainable. However in the subsequent years, the contribution of rice growing to household incomes has sharply declined due primarily to the declining soil fertility levels, farmers’ inability to control water use, use of low yielding varieties, and poor farming practices, thereby adversely impacting on the integrity of the Doho Wetlands. It was concluded that Upland rice cultivation offers a more viable alternative to paddy rice growing as an income generating activity, which could also ensure the conservation of the Doho and surrounding wetlands. Key words: Paddy farmers, out growers, upland rice, wetland degradation, conservation.