Impact of cattle grazing on rangelands: a case study of Nyabushozi county Kiruhura district, Uganda

Abstract

The study was conducted in Nyabushozi county Kiruhura District and the objectives of the study were to the forms and nature of grazing systems practiced in the area, find out the effects grazing of on rangelands, to assess the adaptation mechanisms put in place to minimize the effects of Cattle grazing and suggest possible solutions of the effects on rangelands in Kiruhura District. The study was carried out using instruments of data collection included questionnaires, interviews and observation. In the study, it was revealed that the major farming practices included animal keeping, grazing and watering herds, controlling their diseases, keeping records of the animals, pasture management, breeding the animals and marketing of the animals and their products. The major problems of cattle grazing on rangelands were identified vegetation; loss of vegetation cover, litter cover, infiltration, soil compaction, decline in vegetation condition and reduced forage production. Soils were considered loss of soil fertility and soil erosion led by most overgrazing. Water resource has been checked with water availability which is most determined by seasonality and water quality was poor. The research has pointed out that bush burning, having many watering points, grazing animals up to the watering points, regular draining of the wells were the major adaptation mechanisms of reducing the effects of cattle grazing on rangelands in Kiruhura District. The study has come up with recommendations including destocking, improvement of animal condition, controlled bush burning, record keeping, rangeland rehabilitation and proper management, ecological balancing of animal productivity and ranges, provision of extension services, adapting livestock fanning act and range monitoring.