Implications Of Subsistence Farming On The Environment; A Case Study Of Chahi Sub County, Kisoro District (Uganda)

ABSTRACT

Agriculture remains the mainstay of the African economy as an engine of economic growth and

development where 88% of the continent’s populations living in rural areas earn their livelihood

from agriculture (Ndambi 2008). Also 80% of Uganda’s cultivated land area falls under

subsistence form of agriculture (Kalyebara 2005).

It is this phenomenon that prompted a research study whose intention was to investigate the

implications of subsistence farming in the natural environment, the case study being Chahi subcounty

in Kisoro district.

By use of a stratified random sampling technique, data was collected by use of questionnaire,

interview and observation methods and was later analyzed by use of Excel software.

Evidences of poor land management, reduction of both forest and grassland, high soil erosion

and reduced farm productivity are apparent and are being attributed to the increasing population

coupled with increasing demand for settlement, conversion of agricultural production and

excessive cultivation.

Agro-forestry, apiary, and organic farming coupled with on farm training programs by NAADS

on best soil fertility improvement management practices to control the increasing population

should be harnessed for an environmentally sustainable subsistence farming community.