Landcare Bylaws Increase Adoption of Soil Erosion Control Technologies: Evidence from Mt. Elgon Highlands in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Uganda faces severe environmental problems such as soil erosion, yet adoption of technologies that can sustainably reduce or stop soil erosion remains low. This is partly due to lack of locally enacted landcare bylaws and limited involvement of local communities in bylaws formulation. Using a case study of Kween district we assessed the effect of landcare bylaws and local community involvement in bylaws formulation on adoption of soil erosion control technologies. The study used primary data collected from a survey of 120 randomly selected farmers and secondary information synthesized from Kapchorwa District Landcare Chapter reports, consultative workshops attendance lists, lists of members on the Bylaw Implementation Committee, and the printed poster of the ‘‘Benet landcare bylaws”. The data was analysed through generation of descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that there was minimal involvement of local communities in bylaws formulation. Although penalties for breaking the enacted landcare bylaws exist, they were yet to be enforced. Further, we note a sharp increase in adoption levels of all technologies stipulated in the bylaws during the year (2009) when the bylaws were passed and popularized. Adoption of soil erosion control technologies is highest among people who participated in the formulation of the bylaws. Thus, we conclude that other factors remaining constant, both the landcare bylaws, and involvement of local communities in bylaws formulation are associated with increase in technology adoption.

Keywords: Landcare bylaws; Community involvement; Uganda