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| Assessment of Natural Resource Management in the Selected Villages around Lake Bunyonyi Basin in South Western Uganda
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Friday Christopher, Katusiime Marion, Mucunguzi Denis, Akakikunda Teddy
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Abstract:
The study was about Natural Resource Management around L. Bunyonyi basin and was guided by the following objectives; To examine the methodology of digging trenches and checkdams and to determine the farmers participation rate of Natural Resource Management Practices. The study employed a cross sectional descriptive design that employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative approach was used to quantify incidences in order to describe current conditions while qualitative approach was used to explain the events and describe findings using interviews and documentary review and used a target population of 200 respondents from the twelve selected villages comprising of household heads and project representatives and used a sample of 80 respondents out of the study population. The interview guides and questionnaires were also used. Data analysis involved editing, coding, classifying and tabulating the collected data. The researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. Qualitative data, particularly responses from interviews was analyzed following the content analysis. Findings revealed that a total of 816 trenches and 500 check dams have so far been dug in both Kabale and Rubanda districts, majority have been stabilized by Napier and we are yet to stabilize a few remaining early July after receiving some rains. Generally, the participation of farmers in soil and water conservation activities continued to be very low compared to the previous months due to COVID-19 pandemic. Males participated in natural resource management than females because of the differences in gender roles in the society. Few people participated in NRM activities because of the guidelines that had been set by the government and the extension of the lock down. A total of 265 males, 133 females, 56 youth and 03 Batwa participated in NRM activities in both Kabale and Rubanda districts. The study concluded that in areas where more men participated in the digging of trenches and check dams, there were more that had been dug. Also, the men were more actively involved than their female counterparts. Rights of ownership of land determined a lot in the participation as men had more powers to make decisions. More trenches were dug than the check dams because of the fatigue associated with digging the dams in stony areas. The Youth had a low adoption rate yet the future of this country lies in their hands. The women and Youth should be actively engaged in the activities of natural resource management since they are closer to the environment. More public sensitization should be done to make the dwellers much more informed of how they will benefit from the practices. Agriculture extension services should be extended to the farmers and through this they will learn how to conserve their soils and water. Government support inform of finance for the village saving and loans associations and tools to dig trenches and check dams is required.
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