Rice Paddy Scheme and Wetland Degradation Tilda Kibimba, Bugiri District, Uganda
Loading...
Files
Date
2011-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, School of environmental management
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to establish the impact of paddy schemes on wetland degradation
in Kibimba wetland Bugiri; and in this the major concern was the factors, activities and effects of
rice paddy agriculture on wetlands. The study was conducted among surrounding out growers,
labor workers at the scheme and extension officers of Tilda rice scheme.
The literature review covered relevant literature from other previous writers, journals,
documentary reviews where factors of rice paddy schemes activities of rice paddy scheme
agriculture and effects of rice paddy schemes will be reflected in the Literature review.The study
used a descriptive study design in which both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted.
In a cross-sectional survey, a total of 40 farmers will be interviewed using several data collection
methods including interviews, informal discussions based on questionnaires and observation
.The researcher was focused majorly on the activities involved in rice paddy agriculture and their
effects on the wetland ecosystem and this was majorly on observation of these effects and
practices.Data was analyzed, coded and presented using pie charts.
Factors like continuous cultivation of the wetland leads to depletion of soil nutrients, lack of
awareness about wetland conservation, political factors of the rich being given free access to
wetland natural resources without follow ups and economic factors were all leading to wetland
degradation. After the study, the researcher found out that rice growing has no impact on the
wetland but the problem was with the activities that are involved in rice growing for example
during land preparation, the use of chemical to kill weeds was a common practice that changes
the wetland ecosystem composition through contaminating it and making it inhabitable to the
different kinds of biodiversity; use of fertilizers that degrade the soil that without using them in a
particular season would mean very poor yields, other pests and disease control using chemical
for example kills birds and fish in the water; mechanized harvesting leads to compaction of the
soil particles reducing soil aeration.
Therefore, there is wetland degradation taking place at Tilda Uganda Limited but most of the
effects can not be easily observed by a lay man physically except a few effects, thereby requiring
the government to come up and fund environment conservation organizations to there and do
scientific studies by for example testing soil samples in laboratories, or else the wetland of
Kibimba will soon become a was±e land.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the School of Engineering And Applied Sciences In Partial Fulfillment Of The Award Of Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management of Kampala International University
Keywords
Rice Paddy Scheme and Wetland Degradation, Bugiri District