Relational Effects of Land Resource Degradation and Rural Poverty Levels in Busoga Region, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Land degradation in southeastern Uganda is a recent phenomenon driven by population pressure and scarcity of extra fertile land. This paper explores the economic relations of soil conservation practices to rural poverty levels among the farming communities in southeastern Uganda. Using random sampling methods, 120 respondents from the districts of Kamuli, Iganga and Jinja were selected and interviewed. The results showed that about 42% of the farmers were poor. The Logistic regression reveals that farmers geographical location and being educated significantly reduced poverty, while household size increased it (p<0.05). Increasing the number of fertile land areas under fallow significantly reduces probability of being poor (p<0.01). Farmers that use crop rotation, vegetative cover crops and organic manure have significantly lower probability of being poor compared to those using zero tillage (p<0.05). Adoption of improved soil conservation practices will assist farmers to increase agricultural outputs and reduce their poverty levels, while fertilizers should be made available at affordable prices. Site-specific research, to address soil-related constraints and socio-economic and political issues, is needed to enhance and sustain production.