DOI - Mendel University Press

DOI identifiers

DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-963-1-0403

YOUTHS PERCEPTIONS OF AGROFORESTRY IN UGANDA: MOTIVATIONS AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN HIGHLAND AGROFORESTRY TREE PLANTING AND LANDSCAPE PROTECTION

Dastan Bamwesigye1,2, Evans Yeboa2, Seval Ozbalci3, Jitka Fialova1, Robert Tweheyo4, Obed Asamoah5
1 Department of Landscape Management, Faculty of forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
2 Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
3 University of the People, Department of Business Administration, 595 E. Colorado Boulevard. CA 91101, USA
4 Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Kyambogo University. P.O Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda
5 School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Street Address: Yliopistokatu 7, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland

This study investigates public (youths) willingness to participate in highland agroforestry tree planting initiatives and perceptions of agroforestry in Uganda. Through a questionnaire survey (N= 1138), data were collected on respondents' willingness to engage in agroforestry activities, motivations for participation, preferred methods of participation, and perceptions of agroforestry effectiveness. Results indicate a strong overall willingness among respondents to participate in highland agroforestry tree planting, with 89.3% expressing willingness. Primary motivations for participation include environmental conservation, water regulation, and soil conservation. Younger respondents and those with higher education levels demonstrated a greater willingness to participate, suggesting that demographic factors influence attitudes towards agroforestry. Planting tree strips emerged as the preferred method of participation, followed by planting indigenous tree species and practising sustainable agriculture methods. While respondents generally rated agroforestry effectiveness moderately, they perceived land and forest degradation in Uganda as significant issues. These findings underscore the potential for expanding agroforestry practices in Uganda's highlands and highlight the importance of targeted outreach and education to engage diverse demographic groups in environmental conservation efforts and support for Eco-Tourism. Future research should focus on optimizing agroforestry interventions to address perceived barriers and enhance their effectiveness in mitigating land and forest degradation, and possible impact on Eco-Tourism in the region.

Keywords: Agroforestry, Eco-Tourism, Environmental conservation, Landscape Protection, Ugandan Highland

pages: 403-407, Published: 2024, online: 2024



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