Browsing by Author "Ndemere, Julius"

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EFFECT OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN MAZIBA SUB CATCHMENT, KABALE__UGANDA
(Kenyata University, 2018) Ndemere, Julius
Soil and water resources are important for sustaining life on earth since they are the main components of sub catchment, however they are under threat of deterioration due to human activities (NEMA, 2011). Maziba sub catchment have high population pressure which have led to deforestation, over cultivation and wetland encroachment leading to soil erosion problems causing severe tension on soil and water resources while little attention is paid to their effects (NEMA, 2011). The purpose of the study was to analyze the effect of soil and water conservation technologies on soil properties in Maziba sub catchment of Kabale District, Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) Identify soil and water conservation technologies used at different landscape positions by farmers in Maziba sub catchment, (ii) Evaluate the effects of selected soil and water conservation technologies on saturated hydraulic conductivity, organic matter and bulk density and (iii) Determine the factors influencing farmers’ use of soil and water conservation technologies in Maziba sub catchment. The study employed both descriptive and analytical research designs utilizing mixed methodologies. Probability sampling technique was used to select 99 respondents, who were selected to obtain predominantly used soil and water conservation technologies and socio-economic data using semi-structured questionnaire. Thirty six soil samples were collected from mulched and trenched plots at 0-5 cm depth using soil core to analyze BD and OM from the laboratory and sat K was measured in situ using inversed augur hole technique. Statistical analysis of the data collected was done using statistical packages for social scientists (SPSS 16.0) and Microsoft Excel 2007. The results obtained from treatment (mulched plots) were compared to those of control (none mulched plots) from the same sub catchment and conclusions regarding the soil properties were drawn based on internationally acceptable standards. Descriptive statistics were used to describe soil and water conservation technologies practiced in the study area. Chi-square tests were used to test the association between socio-economic data and soil and water conservation technologies used by farmers. The study revealed that terracing (36.4%), mulching (21.2%) and trenching (13.1%) were the predominant soil and water conservation technologies reported. The study results indicated that plots under mulching and trenching (treatment) significantly affects the soil OM (4.45 %), Soil BD (1.32 g /cm3) and sat K (6.1310-2 cm/s) compared to results obtained from control plots OM (3.31%), BD (1.45 g/cm3) and sat K (11.9210-2 cm/s) which was all within acceptable range. The study further revealed that marital status of respondents, age of respondents, level of education, fertility of the soil, farmland slope, size of land and land tenure influenced farmers’ use of soil and water conservation technologies. The study recommends extensive use of mulching and trenching since they were proved to be effective in improvingOM , BD and sat K in the study area.
Urban climate resilience in Africa: a review of nature‑based solution in African cities’ adaptation plans
(BMC, 2024) Kiribou, Razak; Djene, Sintayehu; Bedadi, Bobe; Ntirenganya, Elie; Ndemere, Julius; Dimobe, Kangbéni
Cities are globally exposed to climate change effects, which revealed that 55% of the world's population is at risk. Despite their low contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, African cities are paying the highest cost of the threats caused by climate change due to their rapid urban community growth, high population density, and inadequate urban planning. This review has explored and demonstrated the benefit of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) implementation for urban climate crisis resilience that have been implemented globally for sharing information on sustainable city planning in Africa. The analysis is based on the African countries’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) reports, the institution’s review, and scientific articles. The successful implementation of NbS since 2015 in developed countries confirms that NbS has a multi-functional environmental benefit for urban and pre-urban populations. It reduces cities' vulnerability to climate threats and advances numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. It revealed only 15 (27,7%) African countries have implemented NbS with 119 projects to adapt and tackle climate change in water, agriculture, forest and woodland, coastal and marine habitat, grassland, and mountain habitat sectors. Rural areas are paid more attention than cities despite the rapid urbanization in the face of extreme climate effects. Furthermore, the review process observed some challenges in translating the approaches of NbS into measurable actions for African urban climate resilience: (i) issues in the governance of urban planning and policies; (ii) insufficient mobilization of resources and lack of private sector involvement in financing NbS; and (iii) lack of comprehensive evidence-based strategies and knowledge for successful operationalization of NbS in African cities.
Urban farming system and food security in sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of the current status and challenges
(Crop Science Society of America, 2024) Kiribou, Razak; Bedadi, Bobe; Dimobe, Kangbéni; Ndemere, Julius; Neya, Tiga; Ouedraogo, Valentin; Dejene, Sintayehu W.
By 2022, 42.39% of the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) population was living in urban areas. This urbanization correlates with increasing poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, environmental pollution, and the prevalence of informal settlements. These challenges worsened urban food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in SSA cities. This review analyzed the role of urban farming system as a pivotal means to enhance urban food security, incorporating socioeconomic integration and environmental sustainability. The analysis is grounded in a systematic review using specific keywords, evaluating 46 articles and institutional reports related to the subject. The results revealed that 3.62% of SSA countries have implemented national urban governance and policies with minimal focus on urban farming. Rapid urbanization, urban population growth, and climate change are key factors contributing to cities' vulnerabilities to food insecurity in SSA. Predominantly characterized by horticultural practice, urban farming enhances the food supply system, nutritious security, jobs and income generation, reduces transportation costs, promotes the consumption of fresh food, and mitigates food loss in cities. Despite its importance, urban farming in SSA encounters several challenges: (i) urbanization governance and policy, (ii) knowledge and technology in urban farming, (iii) access to land and water, (iv) financing and capacity building for urban farming, and (v) environmental pollution. SSA countries need a coordinated mix of urbanization policies and technological advancements to integrate innovative urban farming methods, bolstering cities’ resilience to food insecurity. Implementing these measures could advance the achievement of sustainable development goals 2 and 11 in SSA cities.
Vegetation based climate solutions for soil management in smallholder farmlands of Kabale and Rubanda districts, Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2024) Ndemere, Julius; Brahima, Kone; Bamwerinde, Wilson
Understanding and appreciating climate solutions for soil management in smallholder farmlands are paramount. These climate solutions inform smallholder farmers’ actions, choices, decisions and priorities to tackle specific climate change problems and opportunities. The study used structured and semi structured questionnaires to collect field data to ascertain smallholder farmers’ knowledge about vegetation based climate solutions for soil management in Kabale and Rubanda districts, Uganda. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 367 smallholder farmer household head respondents. Regression model, specifically linear to test multicollinearity and multinomial logistic and descriptive statistics was utilised to examine vegetation based climate solutions for soil management. Vegetation based climate solutions such as crop residues, selected trees, Napier grass and Seteria grass (dependent) and gender, age and marital status, and level of education information (independent) were determined predictor variables. The findings revealed that both genders, males (51.5%) and females (48.5%), witnessed climate change as demonstrated in Fig. 2. The chi-square test (χ2 = 376.337) indicated a significant difference between smallholder farmers’ implementing climate solutions. The study observed positive Kendall’s tau (0.357 and 0.118) and a p-value (0.002 and 0.289) of temperature and rainfall respectively. Most farmers (69.2%) relied on fellow farmers as a major source of climate information to manage soil and enhance soil fertility. Vegetation based climate solutions 33.8%, (planting Napier grass, selected tree species, and crop residues) were revealed as suitable and effective soil management interventions to control soil erosion and fertility improvement in smallholder farmlands. Climate solutions were significantly influenced by level of education (0.000) and farmland size (0.001) at 0.05. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate vegetation based climate solutions into government development programmes and agendas to enhance soil fertility and erosion management in smallholder farmers’ farmlands with a focus on livelihood improvement through increasing crop yields and hunger alleviation.