Integration and dissemination of green manure cover crops in small scale farming systems: Successes and constraints in eastern Uganda

Abstract

The integration of Mucuna, Lablab and Crotalaria into the farming systems of eastern Uganda was studied in the year 2000. Quantitative and qualitative survey methods of data collection were used with 52 households including former experimenting farmers, and their neighbours. Mucuna, Lablab and Crotalaria were consistently used for 7 seasons, with a mean seasonal use of 15, 10 and 7 experimental farmers, respectively. The quick restoration of soil fertility on the farms, presence of support technologies like clean cassava planting materials, and the selling of green manure seed enhanced crops use. The use of Crotalaria however, dropped from 34% in the first season to 10% in the last season. Constraints to the integration included drought, labour bottlenecks, and storage difficulties particularly for Lablab and Crotalaria seed. The crops had been adapted for domestic and farm uses, with the women dominating their dissemination. Aspects of non-adoption and dis-continuance of the crops were traced to poor farmer group management and lack of information. Soil fertility improvement, sale of seed and size of land were among the factors advanced to explain the integration of crops. Participatory extension can reinforce the existing successes, while an in-depth adoption study of the green manure can be part of further research.