Profitability of soil erosion control technologies in eastern Uganda Highlands.

Abstract

The lack of farmer awareness of costs and benefits associated with the use of sustainable land management (SLM) technologies is one of the major constraints to technology adoption in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to estimate the profitability of application of SLM in the form of soil erosion control technologies by communities in the highlands of eastern Uganda; a hot spot for this land degradation agent. A survey was conducted using 240 farmers in the highlands of eastern Uganda. The findings from Partial Budget Analysis indicate that the net returns associated with the use of soil erosion control technologies, are sufficiently high to offset the costs involved. For example, for every US$ invested per hectare in terracing and tree planting, there is a return of over US$ 15. However, these returns are likely to be much less if inflation is not regulated. For example, the profits expected from the use of terraces and trees would reduce by about 3 percent if inflation rose to 30 percent. Thus, for the benefits to be sustainable, farmers have to regularly maintain the structures (terraces, contours, and trenches) and the vegetation (trees and grasses). Also, use of soil erosion control technologies would remain profitable only if the Central Bank fulfils its mandate of keeping inflation low and stable.

Key Words: Partial Budget Analysis, sustainable land management