Socio-economic and farmers' perceived environmental impacts of Calliandra calothyrsus in Uganda: a case study of Mukono and Kabale districts

Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner (Calliandra) is a shrub that grows up to 12 metres in height and has been promoted in Uganda since 1987 by research organisations and NGOs, mainly for soil conservation and firewood. The overall objective of the study was to determine the potential and current socio-economic and farmers’ perceived environmental impacts of Calliandra at the plot, household and community levels. The specific objectives were to determine the primary reasons for planting and the primary benefits derived from Calliandra; to assess the cost of Calliandra seedling production and assess the costs, returns, and economic impact of Calliandra use as fodder; and to establish farmers' own perceptions of the economic and environmental impacts of Calliandra. A questionnaire was administered to 93 households to determine the reason for planting and the benefits from Calliandra. The economic profitability of planting Calliandra was assessed, and the incremental cost and benefits in milk production estimated. Data were collected on nine Calliandra nurseries. Data on labour were collected using recall and observation methods. Three farmers' workshops were held in Mukono District, and three in Kabale District, to determine farmers' perceptions of the environmental impacts of Calliandra. A total of 59 farmers, of whom 47 were adopters, attended the workshop in Mukono, while 52 farmers, of whom 27 were adopters, attended in Kabale. The various purposes for which Calliandra has been promoted and initially planted are not the same as the primary or most important benefit derived by the farmers. Forty two per cent of the farmers in Kabale initially planted Calliandra calothyrsus for soil fertility improvement, 28% to protect the farm fields against erosion, and 27% for fodder while only three percent had planted it to get stakes for climbing beans. However, the benefit considered by 44% of the farmers to be the most important was fodder. Those who said that the most important benefit derived from Calliandra was soil erosion control and soil fertility improvement were 20% in each case while 10% cited stakes for climbing beans as the main benefit. Only three farmers considered firewood to be the main benefit, one mentioned the sale of wood, and one perceived no benefits from Calliandra.

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