(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, 2016-10)
Nassuna, J.; Egeru, A.
This study examined the role of environmental education in soil conservation and management in Rakai District. Data were collected through a mixed methods approach involving the use of cross-sectional survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews and was descriptively analysed. Findings indicate that over 90% of farmers practice soil conservation and management in one way or another using a combination of indigenous and ‘modern’ techniques. Adoption of soil conservation practices is perceived by many respondents (97.1%) to be influenced by a decline in soil quality and productivity. Environmental education has had a positive impact among 60% of the farmers in terms of adopting better soil and water conservation measures. This study has shown that providing farmers with learning opportunities leads to a gradual shift towards desired goals such as adoption of soil conservation and management. There is need to educate the public on the benefits of pro-activeness in soil and water conservation and management.