South Eastern Agro-Ecological Zone (SEAEZ) – Buginyanya Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute BugiZARDI
Uganda’s South Eastern Agro-Ecological Zone (U’SEAEZ) is located in the South Eastern part of the country. It has 24 districts with 4 sub zones i.e. Sebei, Bugisu, Bukedi and Busoga. The total land area of the zone is 32,380 km2 with a population density of 144 people per square kilometre (UBOS, 2006). The zone receives a bi-modal pattern of rainfall, with the wettest months being April and October, while July to August and December to February are relatively dry. The annual average rainfall in the zone ranges from 1,200mm to 2,000mm with average minimum temperature of 150C, and maximum of 300C with 80% relative humidity (FewsNet, 2005). It’s classified as the mid altitude banana coffee farming system.
Uganda’s South Eastern Agro-Ecological Zone (U’SEAEZ) is located in the South Eastern part of the country. It has 24 districts with 4 sub zones i.e. Sebei, Bugisu, Bukedi and Busoga. The total land area of the zone is 32,380 km2 with a population density of 144 people per square kilometre (UBOS, 2006). The zone receives a bi-modal pattern of rainfall, with the wettest months being April and October, while July to August and December to February are relatively dry. The annual average rainfall in the zone ranges from 1,200mm to 2,000mm with average minimum temperature of 150C, and maximum of 300C with 80% relative humidity (FewsNet, 2005). It’s classified as the mid altitude banana coffee farming system.
The soils in the highland parts of the zone are characterised by deep fertile soils of volcanic origin, well drained dark clay loam and red sand clay loam with sticky texture. In the lowland areas, soils are generally fertile with well drained sandy-clay loams and sandy-loams. The major crops in the highland areas include bananas, coffee (Arabica), wheat, maize and vegetables while in the lowland areas maize, beans, bananas and fruits are predominant. The vegetation is a mixture of indigenous and exotic species of both timber and none timber tree species (FewsNet, 2005).
Mount Elgon is a key natural resource in the area and has a variety of biodiversity and good scenery, making it a spectacular tourist attraction. Other natural resources include; Mt. Elgon National park, Sipi Falls, wetlands and papyrus swamps which are used for production of paddy rice. The highland areas are prone to soil erosion due to the steep slopes, high population density and deforestation for agricultural production.
The major land degradation issues in the zone include deforestation, soil erosion, negative soil nutrient balances of NPK, landslides, river side cultivation, siltation and wetland encroachment.
The available opportunities include the upcoming rock phosphate industry construction in Tororo District, presence of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)/ BugiZARDI for adaptive research undertakings and government of Uganda’s vibrant agricultural extension strategy.
The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) partners in the zone include Districts Local Governments, Operation Wealth Creation/ National Agricultural Advisory Services (OWC/NAADS), UCA, MWE, MHLUD, MTIC, Development partners (UNDP, Word Bank, GEF, FAO etc.) and local communities.
Recommendations for SLM include implementing the following technologies in the highland and lowland zone of Mt Elgon:
• Construction of terraces, contour bunds, stone line, trash bunds, agroforestry, rehabilitation of degraded hills with beneficial trees, preserving river banks with bamboo stems.
• Good agronomic practices and integrated soil fertility management practice, adoption of minimum tillage practice, adoption of high yielding and drought tolerant germplasm and above all integration of adoption of the landscape approach in SLM implementation.
