Effects of Agricultural Investments on Land-use Land Cover Change, Access to Water and Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Uganda

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy and attracts investments in land that is vital for production. To guide planning and investment decisions in the agriculture sector, reliable information is needed. However, there is a dearth of information on large-scale agricultural investment (LSAI) in Uganda and how it causes land use and land cover changes that lead to land degradation and low productivity. To fill the gap, a study was undertaken in Kanungu, Nakasongola and Nwoya districts to examine the effect of large-scale agricultural investments on land use and land cover changes, assess the effects of LSAI on water quality and access by smallholder farming households and examine how the existence of the LSAI farms have influenced smallholder farming households’ adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Satellite multi-temporal datasets downloaded from the United States Geological Survey geo-portal were pre-processed, analysed and interpreted in ENVI remote sensing software. A structured questionnaire was administered to 1,182 smallholder farming households to gather data on the effects of large-scale agricultural investments on smallholder farming households’ access to water and how they adopted soil and water conservation practices. Key informants were also interviewed using a question checklist. Quality of water samples collected from River Nyamukino in Nwoya District were analysed using the American Public Health Association protocols. A framework to facilitate smallholder farmers’ adoption of S&WC practices was developed. Qualitative data were analyzed in SPSS version 26 and Nvivo version 5.0 while quantitative data were analysed in STATA Econometrics programme. Data were also subjected to t-test, chi-square, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression analyses. Results revealed that land under large-scale farming in Kanungu district increased from 9.8 ha in 2000 to 1,094.6 ha in 2020, in Nakasongola district from 18.7 ha in 2000 to 51,558.9 ha in 2020 and in Nwoya district from 57.9 ha in 2000 to 21,213.8 ha in 2020, affirming that land use and land cover had changed. LSAI increased in land area under large-scale farming from 9.8 ha in 2000 to 1,094.6 ha in 2020. Majority (88.9%) of the respondents fetched water from sources within their villages although LSAI also provided bore holes for safe drinking water. The local communities perceived the water quality to have declined due to pollution by livestock, open defecation and agro-chemicals used on the LSAI farms. Water quality parameters in the wet and dry seasons were found to be within the standard limits recommended for potable water in Uganda. Distance to water sources was significantly related to the habit of LSAI farm workers to wash contaminated spray equipment at the water sources that caused pollution. Smallholder farmers that owned about 8 acres of land adopted soil and water conservation practices compared to non-adopters who owned about 12 acres. The adopters also owned radios and mobile phones that enabled them to access agricultural extension information. Farmers who lived <5 km from the LSAI farms were more likely to adopt S&WC practices than famers who lived more than 5 km away (dy/dx=-0.004, p=0.007). It is recommended that LSAI activities should conform to provisions of the National Environment Act 2019, National Agriculture Policy and Investment Code Act 2019. The source of nitrites detected in the water samples should be ascertained to prevent water-borne health risks and water quality should be monitored regularly to enable application of mitigation measures. There is also need to establish the cause-effect relationship between water pollution by agro-chemicals from the LSAI farms and occurrence of a skin disease that local communities reported in Nwoya district. The results of this study imply that LSAI have an influence on land use land cover changes, water quality and adoption of soil and water conservation practices. However, other drivers such as small-scale agriculture, increased human population and the dynamics of peace and migration have also shaped the landscapes. Despite improving access to water, the quality of the water is likely to deteriorate as more investments are attracted to Nwoya. Therefore, there is a need to regulate the activities of the LSAI in order to protect the environment and local communities’ livelihoods.