The effect of farming on Mabira central forest reserve, Nagojje sub county, Mukono district.

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the effect of farming activities on Mabira Forest Reserve taking Nagojje Sub County as a case study. Data was collected using four methods: interviewing, questionnaire, observation, and document analysis. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to come up with sample of 95 respondents. Data collected was analyzed using Microsoft excel 2010. From the study, it was found out that majority of the respondents stopped at secondary level of education (571.9%). Furthermore, 68.4% were farmers, 71.9% were challenged by pests and diseases, 42.9% carried out subsistence firming and 43.0% practice agroforestry. It was also found out that shortage of arable land was the major cause of farmers’ encroachment on the forest. It was also identified that deforestation is the major negative effect of farming on Mabira forest. Other activities that impact on Mabira forest were; charcoal burning, lumbering, and firewood cutting. It was concluded that more efforts were still needed so as to protect Mabira forest. This could be through intensifying agriculture productivity whereby a small piece of land can be used to produce a high output. This could be through coping up with modern farming practices like application of fertilisers use of pesticides and herbicides among others. Creating alternative jobs like industrial work by setting up industries.