Abstract:
The study examined the impact of rice growing on wetlands in Namasagali Sub County, Kamuli district. The overall objective was to assess the impact of rice growing. on the wetlands in Namasagali Sub County.
Qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect data were used and this involved use of secondary data, observation, interviews and use of questionnaires. The data collected from a sample of 50 respondents was analyzed using SPSS and EXCEL statistical packages and results presented by use of pie charts, frequency tables, line graph and bar graphs.
The study revealed that men were more involved, in rice growing than women and mainly youth and also it revealed that rice growing in wetlands was mainly carried out for commercial purpose. The study found out that the majority of rice growers were small scale farmers holding land size between 0.5 to 3 acres. The study found out that rice growing in wetlands have led to increased income and improved standards of living of rice growers. The study also found out that rice growing has great impact on wetlands leading to loss of animal, grass and tree species, change of water colour to green and black, bad odour, increased quantity and flow of wetland water, birds have increased. Also it has led to decreased production of other agricultural crops such as sweet potato, maize, cassava and it has also led. to decreased watering area for animals and water for domestic use.
It is recommended from this study that farmers should transfer from paddy rice growing to upland rice varieties with special focus On NERICA 4 and NARIC 3 that have ability to high yielding among other species ; this will make the farmers to continually harness the benefits accruing from the wetlands such as raw-material for making mats, animal watering and grazing, firewood and reduce on loss of wetland animal, grass and tree species; organize themselves into farming groups such that they are able to device means how best they sustainably conserve and utilise their wetlands. Also Government and Non-Government should advocate and sensitize farmers about wetland conservation and translation of the wetland use policies and laws into local languages such that people can clearly understand them.
