UNSUSTAINABLE FARMING & FOOD SECURITY IN POST CONFLICT NORTHERN UGANDA LIRA DISTRICT SOLOMON ASEA A PRESENTATION ON HOW POOR FARMING METHODS PRACTISED IN NORTHERN UGANDA HAVE LED TO ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADTION June 12 th, 2009

Introduction. Northern Uganda has been affected by war for the last 25 years, between Lord’s Resistance Rebels & Gov’t. Northern Uganda has been affected by war for the last 25 years, between Lord’s Resistance Rebels & Gov’t. It caused displacement of people into camps & destroyed their entire livelihoods. Major source of food was aid from WFP. The war is now ‘over’ & people are back to their villages.

Introduction – Cont’d Recovery & rebuilding of livelihoods is now taking place. When it comes to food security at household level, its not so rosy. Food for returnees is very scarce due to the devastating floods of 2007 & prolonged droughts of 2008/9, coupled with WFP suspending food aid handouts due to lack of donor support

Objectives. Overall objective  Contribute to increased awareness of the dangers of unsustainable farming practices towards the environment and food security in the long run, which will then trigger change for the better. Specific objectives  Identify ways through which different stakeholders can intervene to ‘save’ the situation.  Build returnees’ capacity to manage their natural resources

Bush burning – to get rid of weeds & pests, normally done before rainy season. Also done to get rid of ‘old’ grass and give way for ‘new’ grass for the cattle. Bush burning – to get rid of weeds & pests, normally done before rainy season. Also done to get rid of ‘old’ grass and give way for ‘new’ grass for the cattle. Over stocking / grazing – households keeping many animals over & above the carrying capacity of available fields Monoculture – growing the same crops on same land over and over again. This is done because very few own land Key Unsustainable Farming practices in the region

Effects of the practices to the environment Its amazing that all respondents mentioned something in line of factors below; Eco system alteration. Loss of species, especially when they burn bushes Air pollution Encroachment on swamps for the case of over stocking Loss of soil fertility through burning and erosion All are contributing factors to the droughts and floods

Food security.  7/10 (70%) household heads did realise & believe that their practices are unsustainable and have a direct impact on the environment & food productivity in the long run

Why unsustainable practices. 80% said they have ‘no choice.’ 80% said they have ‘no choice.’ 100% all agreed that poverty has led them in that direction. All they have is land left to them by their forefathers & they intend to exploit it and every thing on it, to raise food. All agreed that the Government & major donors are not providing them with new technologies, so?

Remedies Government & UN Agencies should provide money for better tools to all returnees since majority cannot afford to buy them Government & UN Agencies should provide money for better tools to all returnees since majority cannot afford to buy them Environmental education programmes at all levels Interestingly, 90% advocated for agro forestry alongside farming & all said it should be a law. Bi laws against specific practices like bush burning put in place with hefty fines for those who don’t abide