Browsing by Author "Kiyingi, Isaac"

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    The Economics Of The Carbon Sequestration Potential Of Plantation Forestry In South-Western Uganda
    (a Journal of Forest Science, 2016) Kiyingi, Isaac; Edriss, Abdi-Khalil; Phiri, Alexander MR; Mukadasi, Buyinza; Tumwebaze, Susan; Agaba, Hillary
    This study assessed the amount of carbon stored and the economic viability of the small-scale Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) carbon offsets in Pinus caribaea and Eucalyptus grandis plantations under varying rotations. Volume equations were used to estimate carbon stocks and merchantable wood volume in the plantations, while net present value (NPV) and annual equivalent value (AEV) were used as measures of profitability at the optimum economic rotation age as well as at the CDM-defined crediting period of 20 years. The findings show that over a 20-year rotation, E. grandis and P. caribaea plantations sequestered 638 and 418 t CO2-e ha−1, respectively. The NPVs of E. grandis and P. caribaea with carbon credits over the CDM carbon-crediting period of 20 years were US$2 540 ha−1 and US$1 814 ha−1, respectively. This is higher than the NPVs without carbon credits of US$1 543 ha−1 and US$1 390 ha−1 for E. grandis and P. caribaea, respectively. The AEV of E. grandis harvested at its optimal economic rotation of 10 years was US$316 ha−1. This is slightly higher than the AEV of US$298 ha−1, utilising the CDM carbon-crediting period of 20 years. In contrast, the AEV of P. caribaea under the 20-year CDM carbon-crediting period was higher than harvesting at the optimal economic rotation of 16 years without carbon credits. When the average CDM contract establishment costs exceed US$500 ha−1 and US$1 000 ha−1 for P. caribaea and E. grandis woodlots, respectively, it is not economically viable for one to participate in the CDM forest carbon offsets programme. In conclusion, the study results indicate that whereas E. grandis has a higher biological potential to sequester carbon than P. caribaea, it is currently not economically viable for participation in the CDM forest carbon offset scheme. In contrast, it is economically viable for P. caribaea plantations to participate in the CDM, if the CDM contract establishment costs are low.
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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