Browsing by Author "Kalanzi, Fred"

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    A Framework for Interdisciplinary Research Methodology in Agroforestry: A Review
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2025-02-06) Buyinza, Joel; Sekatuba, Jude; Kalanzi, Fred
    This paper provides a framework for interdisciplinary research (IDR) methodology in agroforestry, motivated by a general belief that by drawing information from different fields and employing different methodologies, a broad understanding of an existing issue can be achieved. Literature from four scientific paradigms was reviewed to recommend a suitable paradigm for IDR in agroforestry. We promote a pluralistic approach around the concept of ‘what works’ such that agroforestry research and extension focus on applications of techniques to solve a problem. The study suggests a framework for IDR in the context of developing countries by modifying an existing Methodology for Interdisciplinary Research (MIR) framework that was developed to help cross disciplinary borders, especially those between the natural sciences and the social sciences. The existing framework is however limited to real-life applications in teaching and research. We contend that agroforestry research should be seen to benefit the rural poor, foster innovation and farm productivity to feed the growing world population and help farmers adapt to the changing climate. The suggested IDR framework therefore caters for extension and feedback mechanisms, that appear to be the missing link between research and education. The new framework further provides for social relevance and the generation of data for informing policy decisions relating to sustainable agriculture. The paper also highlights the main barriers and opportunities for implementing IDR in agroforestry. The current and future global complex agricultural challenges require experts with interdisciplinary experience. Therefore, interdisciplinary research in agroforestry must increasingly become the standard rather than the exception because the approaches needed and the implications of agroforestry research are by their very nature interdisciplinary.
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    Fungal degradation of bamboo treated with crude lake salt and a mixture of borax and boric acid
    (Elsevier B.V, 2024-08-10) Mwanja, Christine Kalembe;; Terziev, Nasko;; Ishengoma, Romanus ;; Banana, Abwoli;; Kalanzi, Fred
    This study compared the effectiveness of crude lake salt, a traditional preservative used by artisans in Uganda, and borax-boric acid, a conventional preservative, against fungal degradation. Using the European standard, an experiment was set up to determine the durability of Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Oldeania alpina and Bambusa vulgaris treated with 2 % and 6 % crude lake salt and borax-boric acid against Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor. Mass loss comparisons between treated and untreated bamboo samples were made. Durability classes were assigned according to the amount of mass lost. Bamboo samples exposed to G. trabeum had lower surface hyphal coverage compared to those exposed to C. puteana and T. versicolor irrespective of the preservative used. Samples treated with borax-boric acid were in durability class I compared to those treated with crude lake salt that were between class II and III according to European standard. The lowest mass loss for bamboo treated with crude lake salt was 5.9 % in O. abyssinica exposed to G. trabeum. The highest mass loss for bamboo treated with crude lake salt was 14.24 % in B. vulgaris exposed to T. Versicolor. The study confirmed that while artisans use crude lake salt as a traditional preservative, it does not protect against white and brown rot while all concentrations of borax-boric acid provided protection against all fungi.
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    Influence of Socio‑Technological Factors on Smallholder Farmers’ Choices of Agroforestry Technologies in the Eastern Highlands of Uganda
    (Small-scale Forestry, 2021) Kalanzi, Fred; Birungi Kyazze, Florence; Isubikalu, Prossy; Kiyingi, Isaac; Justus Baguma Orikiriza, Lawrence; Okia, Clement; Guuroh, Reginald Tang
    remedy to counter declining farm productivity. Over the last decades, researchers and other actors have promoted several agroforestry technologies to improve farm productivity. Sometimes, the promotion message provided through extension assumes a homogenous smallholder farmers’ context. However, smallholder farmers’ social and farm contexts are heterogeneous. Smallholder farmers make different choices of which technologies fit their contexts. A range of factor categories influence and (re)shape choice decisions of smallholder farmers. In this paper, the authors seek to articulate the importance of socio-technological factors shaping smallholder farmers’ choices of specific agroforestry technologies on their farms. Knowledge of these factors provides insights that inform the design of refined farmer contextbased extension messages, consequently enhancing the scaling-up of agroforestry technologies. The Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour was used as the main framework to understand smallholder farmers’ choice decisions among agroforestry technologies. We used a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 277 randomly selected farming households in the eastern highlands of Uganda. Qualitative data that complemented the quantitative were collected using focus group discussions. An alternative-specific conditional logit model was used to model smallholder farmers’ agroforestry choices. Results indicated that the number of tree species desired by the farmer and the perceived value of the technology were the most critical factors that commonly influence smallholder farmers’ choice of agroforestry technologies. The influence of other factors such as gender, the number of training sessions attended, total land owned, peer influence and perceived behavioural control were technology-specific, suggesting the need to tailor agroforestry interventions to specific farmer categories.
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    Morphological Characteristics and Growth Performance of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex J. C. Wendl in Selected Agro-Ecologies of Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2024-03-08) Kalanzi, Fred; Kiyingi, Isaac; Mwanja, Christine Kalembe; Agaba, Hillary; Malinga, Michael; Reza, Selim; Jayaraman, Durai
    Bamboo is a versatile and valuable resource that has been shown to have social, ecological, and economic benefits in many countries worldwide. Even though Uganda has a suitable environment for bamboo growth, it remains underutilized. One of the key challenges in promoting bamboo farming is the need for more information about the growth performance of different bamboo species in various site conditions. Therefore, this study determined the morphological characteristics and growth performance of Bambusa vulgaris in Uganda. A total of 24 bamboo farms were selected from a list of bamboo farmers provided by key informants using stratified sampling. These farms had relatively uniform B. vulgaris stands and were drawn from Uganda's three agroecological zones (AEZs): the Southwestern, West Nile, and Lake Victoria crescent agro-ecological zones. Eight temporary sample plots were established in each zone, and various growth parameters were measured. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Sidak post-hoc test was used to compare the performance of Bambusa vulgaris across the different agro-ecological zones based on growth parameters. The results of the study showed that the total above-ground biomass was highest in the Lake Victoria crescent (24.773 kg/ha), followed by the West Nile (17.141 kg/ha) and the Southwestern (15.125 kg/ha) agro-ecological zones. The growth rate of B. vulgaris after three years was found to be similar to the outstanding growth rate mentioned in the literature. The growth performance of B. vulgaris was notably better in the L. Victoria crescent compared to the West Nile and Southwestern highlands – suggesting that efforts to promote the growing of B. vulgaris should prioritize the L. Victoria crescent agro-ecological zone. Overall, this study provides valuable information on the growth performance of B. vulgaris in different agro-ecological zones in Uganda. This information can be used to guide the promotion and development of bamboo farming in the country, which has the potential to improve livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development
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    Smallholder Farmers' Local Practices Underpinning the Use of Agroforestry Technologies in Uganda's Mt. Elgon Region
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2024-03-14) Kyazze, Florence Birungi; Kalanzi, Fred; Kiyingi, Isaac; Sebuliba, Esther
    Mt. Elgon is a unique cross-border afro-montane ecosystem that has always provided vital essential goods and services for human livelihoods. However, with the increasing population density, forest degradation has become a significant issue, resulting in a rise in landslides, mudslides, pest and disease outbreaks, and reduced land productivity. Recently, it has been realized that many smallholder farmers have incorporated trees into their farming systems using indigenous knowledge, indicating their profound knowledge regarding tree use and management has reminded us that farmers have always been privy to much information regarding tree use and management accumulated over the years. This study aims to investigate how smallholder farmers' local practices enhance the use of agroforestry technologies in the eastern highlands of Uganda. This information will help develop and promote agroforestry practices that are acceptable to farmers. The study employed a case study approach, collecting data from 12 smallholder farmers over four months. The results indicate that smallholder farmers use local practices to enhance tree seedling survival, optimize space, and shorten the waiting time for tree-related benefits. Although some of their practices may not align with the desired outcome of farm productivity, further validation is needed to understand how they can be integrated into mainstream agroforestry research and development