UACE Geography paper 3: Agriculture in Uganda

1. T what extent have physical factors been responsible for the persistence of normadic pastoralism in
North-Eastern Uganda? (25marks)
Candidates are expected to define the term nomadic pastoralism as the subsistence form of rearing
animals where by farmers move from one place to another in search of waterand pasture for their
animals.

Candidates are expected to draw a sketch map of North-Easter Uganda to show the area uder
normadic pastoralism e.g. Kaabong, Abim, Kotido, Amudat, Napak, Morotoand Nakapiripiriti
Candidates are expected to bring out physical factors that has been responsible for the persistence
of nomadic pastoralism in the North-Eastern Uganda which may inlude

- The harsh climate which is semi-arid characterized with low and unreliable rainfall of less than
500mm, with marked dry season, creating the need for constant search of surface water and
pasture.
- Poor quality of the vegetation cover, the vegetation is scanty, dry savannah, scrub and bush
land, thickets. This offers poor quality pasture with a low carrying capacity encourage
pastoralist to move from one place to another in search of pasture..
- A large expanse of land with a limited population leaves a large area of land where migrations
can take place.
- Existence of pests and diseases promotes mobility to avoid them.
- Absence of surface water promotes mobility to look for water.
- The plain relief favors mobility.
- Presence of wild animals like hyenas encourages farmer to move their animals to safer places.
- Local breeds than tolerate movement of long distances.
- Poor soils/ infertile soils which are not very suitable for crop farming, but can support some
pastures of poor quality.
-

Candidates are expected to bring out other factors responsible for the persistence of nomadic
pastoralism in the North-Eastern Uganda which may inlude

- The cultural tendencies of the nomads. They are adamant/ conservative. They prefer
nomadism as life style.
- It is a source of live hood. They depend on live stock as a source of food for subsistence.
- Poor transport facilities/remoteness away from centres of modernity.
- The land tenure system especially communal ownership of land provides land and allows
mobility.
- Poor government policies e.g. lack of an effective program to develop these areas.
- Poor local breeds which are low yielding but resistant to pests and diseases.
- Low levels of education/ high levels of illiteracy.
- Hostility of some of tribe discourages development projects in the region.
- Limited capital resources for modernization of farming e.g. through irrigation, ranching etc.
- Poor storage facilities for animal products.
- Limited veterinary service/extension service to encourage farmers stay in one place.
- Limited research
- Limited market for animal products.
2. (a) Account for development of the dairy industry in Uganda (15marks)

Candidates are expected to give the currentstatusof the dairy industry

- The inndustry isnotwell developed compared to othr sectors.however, dairy farming is

increasing under government policies of plan form modernization of agriculture, operation
wealth creation,etc.
- Modern technology/scientific methods are being employed in dairy farming activities, for
example use of milk coolers and refrigerated tracks by Kaso daiy farmers association in
Mbarara.
- Most dairy farms are managed by private individuals e.g. Jesa farm in Busunju, Batumadairy
farm in Kabale.
- The dairy industry is centrally managed by DDA (Dairy development Authority)
- There is increased processing of dairy products for local and international market which has
reduced post-harvest losses.

Candidates are expected to draw a sketch map of Uganda showing the distribution of dairy farms

.
Candidates are expected to come up with factos for development of the dairy industry in Uganda.

- Cool climate which favour the rearing of dairy animals e.g. in the highland areas of western
Uganda e.g. Kabale, shores of Lake Victoria e.g. Wakiso and Mukono.
- Availability of modern technology/scientific methods for rearing dairy animals e.g. adoption of
intensified research and scientific methods of livestock rearing such as artificial insemination,
training of veterinary doctors and staff training etc.
- Presence of improved exotic breeds e.g. Friesians, Jerse and so on
- Presence of extensive/vast land for rearing dairy animals in Mbarara, Sembabule, Kiruhua,
Hoima etc.
- Constant/ubundant water supply from natural and man-made sources e.g. L. Victoria, L. kyoga
and construction of valley dams in Nakasongola, Moroto, provideadequate water for dairy
animals resulting in increased milk production.
- Establishment of various milk collecting and processing centres e.g. milk cooling plants in
Mbarara, and Kampala has led to increase milk production
- Improved storage and preservation method encurages farmers to rear more dairy cattle.
- Large domestic and foeign markets for milk products for example in Kampala and other cities.
- Availability of credit facilities in form of cash or livestock to farmers e.g. from Heifer
international project.
- Improved/well developed transport network to transport milk and dairy products from
Mbarara and other places
- Increased research in dairy farming such as in Kawanda research institute.
- Relative political stability in the country encourages farmer in Kabale, Mbarara to rear dairy
animals.
- Favorable governement policies such as encouraging the formation of dairy farm asociation
for example Kaso Dairy farmers association in Mbarara
- Abundant skilled and unskilled labour in Bugerere dairy farms in Kayunga, Jessa farm in
Mityana etc. has led to the development of dairy farming.
- Training of dairy farmer in Mbarara, Kiruhura by NAADS (National Agricultural Advisory
Services)and PMA (Programme for Moderniation of Agriculture) has led to the development of
dairy farming in the country.
- Introduction of better livestock feeds such as Alfa alfa grass, cattle cakes, maize brand on dairy
farms such as Jessa dairy farm in Mityana, byakika’s dairy farm in Mbale have ledto
development of dairy farming in the country.
- Availability/constant power supply for example Rural electrification by Uganda Electric
Distribution Company and UMEME in the cattle corridor such as Sembabule, Kazo, Mbarara in
the west has led to the development of dairy farming in Uganda.

(b) Explain the challenges facing thdairyindustry in Uganda (10marks)

 Challenges/problems faced by the diary farmers in Uganda
- Shortage of land in densely populated aresa such as Kabale, Mbale, Kampala, etc. led to
limited expansion of dairy farms for example Beatrice dairy farm in Kabaleand Jessa dairy farm
in Mityana.
- Poor quality dairy cattle lead to production of low amounts of milk.
- Poor transport network in Kaabong, Kotido and other areas discourage dairy farm production
and post harvest losses.
- Inadequate surface water in some parts of the country like Kayunga, Kotido lead to low milk
yield.
- Pest and diseases such as ticks, Foot and mouth diseases limit milk production in dairy cows in
Mbarara, Kiruhura and so on.
- There is inadequate veterinary services due to limited extension staff to advise farmers on
better farming techniques.
- Limited milk collecting and preservation centres lead to high post-harvest losses of milk and
dairy products.
- Inadequate capital and credit schemes limit dairy farming expansio.
- Hash climate especially in dry seasons limit availability of pastures for dairy nimals
- Political instability in some part of the country.
- Limited market for dairy products.

3. (a) Explain the importance of livestock farming in the development of uganda (15marks)

Candidates are expected to define livestock farming as: the keeping/rearing of animals such as cows,
goats, pigs, rabbits, chicken for commercial and subsistence purposes.

Candidates are expected to draw a sketch map of Ugandaa showing the form of livestock farming in
Uganda in different districts.
Candidates are expected to explain the importance of livestock farming in development of Uganda

Positive contributiona

- It is a source of animal proteins/food for the people e.g. chicken from ugachick poultry in
Gayaza, Beef from Mbarara for the people of Kampala.
- Provision of employment opportunities for example cattle keepersin Ankole.
- Prodivide raw materials to the industries such as milk processing industries.
- Source of income to the farmers in Kampala, Kayunga and so on.
- Animal dungs provide fertilizers that boost crop production
- Some animals/oxen are use for ploughing in Lira, Soroti etc.
- Some animals/cattle are used for transport in Lira, Soroti etc.
- Revenue generated by government from livestock products are used to develop infrastructure.
- Encourage development of urban areas
- Animal droppings are use for biogas production
- Animals are used to pay dowry.
- Promate development of research institution.
- Encourage foreign exchange earnings.
 - Livestock attract tourists

Negative contributions

- Some livestock like cattle, goats, sheep destroy people’s crops e.g. in Soroti, Kumi etc.
- Livestock farming also account for environmental degredation through over grazing for example
cattle in Karamoja region.
- The livestock sector is responsible for the spread of some diseases to human such as flatworms
from goats and cattle meat in Kotido, Kampala and so on.
- Piggery in urban areas like mukono, Soroti, Kampala cause air pollution with the bad smell of their
droppings.
- Child labour in the pastoral areas like Buliisa, Nakasongola, Moroto discourage children from
attending classes.
- Some livestock like cattle are dangerous to peoples lives.
- Nomadic pastoralism in Moroto and other places lead to land conflicts.

(b) Outline the problems faced by livestock farmers in uganda (10 marks)

Candidates are expected to explain the problems facing livestock farmers as

- Prolonged drought leading to scarcity of pastures is a probleme in Nakasongola, Moroto and so

on. This results in the death of cattle.
- Shortage of drinking water in Sembabule, Nakasongola discourage livestock farming.
- Pests and diseases such as Nagana lead to losses by the farmers in Sembabule and others.
- Wild animals like Hyenas and leopards kill livestocks and cause losses to the farmers.
- Limited market for livestock products such as beef and milk.
- Lack of reliable transport and communication network in places like Kotido, Kaabong affect
transportation of livestock products to the market centres such as Kampala. This reduces
farmers income.
- Limited capital to purchase inputs like improved cattle breeds, pesticides on Singo ranch and
others affects expansion of the farms
- Cattle rustling/theft in Moroto, Kaabong lead to losses
- Poor breed animals lead to low yield in Moroto, Kumi, Gulu etc.
- Limited land limit expansion of livestock farming
- Shortage of veterinary and extension services lead to low livestock yields.
- Political insecurity in some parts of the country like Kasese discourage livestock farming.
4. Study the information provided in the table below showing livestock numbers (2007-09) in Uganda
and answer the questions that follow

Livestock 2007 2008 2009

Cattle 7,182,000 11,409,000 11,751,000
Goats 8,275,000 12,450,000 12,823,000
Sheep 1,697,000 3,410,000 3,513,000
Pigs 2,122,000 3,184,000 3,280,000
Statistical Abstracts 2008,2010 Uganda Bureau of Statistics(UBOS), Kampala p. 144(2008),p.42(2010)

(a) Draw a group bar graph to represent the information in the table (12marks)

Candidates are expected to draw a group bar graph.

The graph should have/show

- Title
- Key
- Verticl scale
- Labelling of axes
(b) Outline the merits and demerits of using the statistical method in (a) above (05marks)

Candidates shoulldclearly outline the merits and demerits of the group bar graph method

Merits

- It gives a good visual impression

- It is good for comparison purposes sinc each bar starts from the zero line
- It is easy to interprete
- It accomodates a lot of data

Demerits

- It is time consuming to draw many bars

- It consumes space compared to other graphs
- It is difficult to get the vertical scale for the graph if large values are to be plotted.

(c) Expalin the contribution of livestock farming to the development of uganda. (1marks)

Candidates are expected to explain the importance of livestock farming in development of Uganda

Positive contributiona

- It is a source of animal proteins/food for the people e.g. chicken from ugachick poultry in
Gayaza, Beef from Mbarara for the people of Kampala.
- Provision of employment opportunities for example cattle keepersin Ankole.
- Prodivide raw materials to the industries such as milk processing industries.
- Source of income to the farmers in Kampala, Kayunga and so on.
- Animal dungs provide fertilizers that boost crop production
- Some animals/oxen are use for ploughing in Lira, Soroti etc.
- Some animals/cattle are used for transport in Lira, Soroti etc.
- Revenue generated by government from livestock products are used to develop infrastructure.
- Encourage development of urban areas
- Animal droppings are use for biogas production
- Animals are used to pay dowry.
- Promate development of research institution.
- Encourage foreign exchange earnings.
- Livestock attract tourists

Negative contributions

- Some livestock like cattle, goats, sheep destroy people’s crops e.g. in Soroti, Kumi etc.
- Livestock farming also account for environmental degredation through over grazing for example
cattle in Karamoja region.
 - The livestock sector is responsible for the spread of some diseases to human such as flatworms
from goats and cattle meat in Kotido, Kampala and so on.
- Piggery in urban areas like mukono, Soroti, Kampala cause air pollution with the bad smell of
their droppings.
- Child labour in the pastoral areas like Buliisa, Nakasongola, Moroto discourage children from
attending classes.
- Some livestock like cattle are dangerous to peoples lives.
- Nomadic pastoralism in Moroto and other places lead to land conflicts.

5. (a) Describe the characteristics of market gardening (10marks)

Candidates should define market gardening. Identify areas where it is practiced and crops grown.
Show them on a sketch map. Explain their characteristics.
Market gardening is a form of intensive commercial farming where crops like tomatoes, carrots,
flowers, onions are grown near market centres such as urban areas, industrial areas and mining
areas. It is practiced in Kampala, Wakiso, Kabale, entebbe etc.
 The candidates are expected to describe the characterisitics of market gardening i.e.
- Carried out near or within the vicinity of urban areas, industrial centers, minining centers
- The types of crops grown are perishable crops such as onions, cabbages, tomatoes ,
vegetables etc.
- Scientific methods such as crop rotation, application of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides are
practiced to enhance crop yield
- The farms are usually small
- The market gardens are labour intensive
- The land is intensively worked throughout the year
- They are privately owned
- The crops grown fetch high prices

(b) Explain the factors limiting the development of market gaardening (15marks)

Candidates are expected to explain and illustrate the factors limiting the development of market
gardening in Uganda
- Limited land on which to carry out market gardening
- Decline insoil fertility due to extensive use of land reduce crop yields
- Limited market for the products of market gardening discourage farmers.
- Poor storage/preservation facilites for onions, tomatoes lead to high post-harvest losses.
- Limited research lead to low yields of crops
- Political instability in some parts of the country suchas Kasese
- Harsh climate and unreliable weather conditions suchas prolonged drought and excessive rain
lead to farmer’s losses.
- Limited capital to purchase land and farm equipment limit market gardening
- Inadequate skilled labour and extension service reduce farm yields
- Poor transport network/high transport costs reduce farmer’s profits and hence ability to
expand their farm activities.

6. Explain the importance of plantation farming in development of Uganda (25marks)

Candidates are expected to define the term plantation farming as the growing of one perenial crop
over a large piece of land for commercial purposes.
 - Sugar cane at Kakira(Jinja), Lugazi(Mukono), Kinyara(Masindi), Sangobay(Rakai)
- Tea at Kasaka (Mukono), Kyamuhunga (Bushenyi), Buganda(Hoima) etc.
- Coffee in Mubende
- Oil palm at Buvuma, Kalangala

Candidates are expected to come up with a sketch map of Uganda showing areas of
plantation agriculture.

Characteristics of plantation Agriculture

- Th farmers normallyconcentrate on production of a single crop e.g. sugar cane on the

Lugazi sugar cane plantation
- Farms are usually extending to hundres and thousands of hectares e.g. rice plantation at
Doho covers 2500 acres of land.
- The crops produced are normally for commercial purposes e.g. most of the tea from
Mukono is exported
- Large number of workers are employed e.g. the Lugazi sugar works employes over 7000
workers.
- A lot of capital is required to set up plantation farm.
 - Most of the plantations in Uganda are state owned or privately owned by foreigners e.g.
Kakira and Lugazi sugar plantation belong to Metha and Madhvan(Asians)
- Plantations are scientifically managed and this involves the use of machines,
agrochemicals and fertilizers and research carried out to obtain improved seed/stock at
Lugazi and tea plantations
- Most plantations supplement their outputs from the outgrowers or local producers.
- Plantaition farm management provides food, housing, medical facilities and sometimes
education to theiremployees e.g. (SCOUL) operates a secondary school in the area.

Candidates are expected to explain and illustrate the importance of plantaion farming as
follows

Positive contributions

- Plantaion farms provide employement opportunities for example Lugazi sugar plantation
employees over 7000 employes
- Collect revenues form empoyees earnings on the behalf of the government
- Pay taxes to the governement
- Products from the plantation farms e.g. sugar from Lugazi Sugar plantation is exported to
get foreign exchange.
- Plantation farms like Kakira Sugar works carry out research to obtain improved stock for the
country.
- Plantation farms encourage outgrowers who earn money from assured market.
- Plantation farm encrouage development of processing industries such as sugar factory at
Lugazi.
- Plantation farms offer social services suchas education and health facilities to their
employes
- Plantation farming encourages development of roadwork works and electricity to the places
where they are located
- Plantation agriculture encourages economic independence for instance sugar plantations
provide enough sugar required by ugandan population
- By products of plantation farms for example sugar are source of electricity
- Lead to development of urban areas

Negative contributions

- Plantations lead to development of urban centres and associated negative cosequences

such as poor higiene, high crime rates.
- Monoculture leads to soil degredation
- Plantation farms such as Kakirasugar works encourage migration of people from rural areas
to the plantations. For example employees at Kasuku tea estate are from Pallisa, Moyo and
Arua which lead to the decline in production of rural areas.
- Plantation farms may lead to displacement of people from their land
 - High capital is required to setup a plantation farm leading to great loss on the part of the
farmer.
7. (a) Account for the low agriculture productivity in uganda.

Candidates are expected to define the term agricultural productivity and mention different farming
systems in Uganda.

Candistates should draw sketch map of Uganda showing the different agrarian systems.

Agricultural productivity refers to agricultural output per unitarea.

The farming systems/practices in Uganda are

- The intensive banana-coffee system in Masaka, Mpigi, Wakiso, Jinja, Kayunga etc.
- Western banana-coffe-cattle system in bushenyi, Ntungamo, Ibanda, Hoima, Masindi etc.
- West Nile-Tobacco system in Nebbi, Arua, Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha etc
- Afro-montane system in Sironko, Manafwa, Mbale, Kabale, Kisoro etc.
- Annual-cattle pastoral system in kaabong, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Moroto, Kotido etc
- The Northern-millet-cotton system in Lira, Oyam, Pader, Gulu etc.
- Eastern Teso system (annual crops like cotton, maize, millet and cattle)
Candidates should bring out the factors which are well explained and illustrated. These may include

- Poor crop varieties in most districts like Kayunga and Moroto lead to low outputs.
- Use of poor tools like hoes in Mpigi and most of the districts limit the sizes of the farms tilled.
- Monocultural practices such as growth of coffee in Masaka has led to soil degredation and
nutrient depletion causing low yields
- Bush burning for example in Nakasongola destroy soil organisms and soil structure causing low
outputs from crops grown
- Poor methods of farming encourage soil erosion ans loss of soil fertility for example in slopes of
Mt. Elgon.
- Overstocking has led to overgrazing in Northen-Eastern Uganda causing scarcity of pasture
leading to poor quality animals.
- Pests and diseases in several districs like Moyo leads to poor farm outputs.
- Harsh climate such as prolonged drought in Kaabongo lead to scarsity of pastureand high
farmers losses.
- Poor soils in Mukono, Kayunga etc lead to agricultural productivity
- Shortage of market for agricultural output discourage investment in agriculture
- Inadequate skilled labour and extension services cause low farm yields in Arua, Kabale, Hoima
etc.
- Inadequate capital to invest in agriculture
- Political instabilities like in Kasese discourage agriculture
- Poor land tenure system that has led to inappropriate sharing of land for agriculture especially
in Buganda limit agriculture.
- Unfavorable relief in Kasese limit agricultural productivity
- Poor transport network discourages farmer who cannot transport their products to the market
leading tohigh post-harvest losses..
- Corruption by government official reduce the funds to be invested in agriculture.

(b) Outline the measure being taken to increase agricultural productivity in Uganda.

Candidates are expected to come up with measure being taken (Not what should be taken) to
increase agricultural productivitu

- The government has embarked on increased agricultural education at the Universities and
institutes to develop agricultural personnel
- Setting up of demonstration farms such as Aswa rand in Kitgum
- Strengthening security throughout the country such as in Northern Uganda
- Mechanization of agricultureforgreat output is done at Kasuku and Toro Tea estate
- Diversification and creation of external markets for example from South Sudan has boosted
agricultural productivity.
 - Group farming is being encouraged e.g. through the “Send a cow” programme. High quality
livestock are given to local groups emphasizing the increase of quality and quantity in Kayunga,
Mukono, Wakiso, Mbarara and Kiruhura.
- The ministry of agriculture is providing incenticives to farmers such as seeds and cassava
cuttings in Teso.
- The ministry of Agriculture has introduced fish farming at Kajjansi, Pallisa, Rukungiri, Lugazi and
Entebe. Tilapia and catfish are reared.
- The ministry of Agriculture has intensified research through NARO (National Agricultural
research Organization), NAADS (National Agricultural Advisory Services so as to improve on both
crop varieties as well as marketing in Mukono, Ntenjeru, Mbarara.
- Improved storage facilities e.g. milk dairies (cooling and processing) factories such as Alpha in
Mbarara, Jessa and GBK have been adopted. Milk cooling containers have also been imported
and used in all major towns like Kampala, Mbarara and Masaka to preserve.
- Soil erosion and fertility control measures have been adopted in Kigezi, Mbale and Bundibugyo
where terracing, mulching and crop rotation one done. Both Artificil and Organic manure like
cow dung are applied to reinstate soil fertility in Mbarara, Mbale, Masaka.
- Spraying and use of pesticides to control pests like ticks is done in Mbarara, Kaabong and Soroti.
Cattle are dipped in specially treated water to kill pests.
- Liberization of the economy and attraction of foreign investors hav been adapted to encourage
large scale production and commercial agriculture.
- Improved transport/renovation of transport routes is being done across the country by UNRA.
- Fighting corruption through IGG is in high gear across the country.
- Development of security/political stability/personnel(UPDF) e.g. disarmament in Karamoja.
- Mechanization of agriculture e.g.Provision of walking tractors in Karamoja.
- Introduction of SACCOs/co-operatives to provide money and farm input to the farmers is being
done across the country.
- Establishment of agro-processing industries e.g. tomato processing factory in Luwero,milk
processing factory in Mbarara.
- Changing land tenure system e.g. land consolidation in Kabale/provision of land to investors.
- Irrigation farming e.g. Mobuku, Olweyi rice scheme (Lira), Kibimba rice scheme (Tilda Uganda)
- Construction of valley dams e.g. in Karamoja and Nakasongola.
8. The use of poor farming methods has been primarily responsible for the low level of agricultural
productivity in Uganda. Discuss. (25marks)

Candidates are expected to define the term agricultural productivity and mention different farming
systems in Uganda.

Candistates should draw sketch map of Uganda showing the different agrarian systems.

Agricultural productivity refers to agricultural output per unitarea.

The farming systems/practices in Uganda are

 - The intensive banana-coffee system in Masaka, Mpigi, Wakiso, Jinja, Kayunga etc.
- Western banana-coffe-cattle system in bushenyi, Ntungamo, Ibanda, Hoima, Masindi etc.
- West Nile-Tobacco system in Nebbi, Arua, Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha etc
- Afro-montane system in Sironko, Manafwa, Mbale, Kabale, Kisoro etc.
- Annual-cattle pastoral system in kaabong, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Moroto, Kotido etc
- The Northern-millet-cotton system in Lira, Oyam, Pader, Gulu etc.
- Eastern Teso system (annual crops like cotton, maize, millet and cattle)

Candidates should bring out the factors which are well explained and illustrated. These may include

- Poor crop varieties in most districts like Kayunga and Moroto lead to low outputs.
- Use of poor tools like hoes in Mpigi and most of the districts limit the sizes of the farms tilled.
- Monocultural practices such as growth of coffee in Masaka has led to soil degredation and
nutrient depletion causing low yields
- Bush burning for example in Nakasongola destroy soil organisms and soil structure causing low
outputs from crops grown
- Poor methods of farming encourage soil erosion ans loss of soil fertility for example in slopes of
Mt. Elgon.
- Overstocking has led to overgrazing in Northen-Eastern Uganda causing scarcity of pasture
leading to poor quality animals.
- Pests and diseases in several districs like Moyo leads to poor farm outputs.
- Harsh climate such as prolonged drought in Kaabongo lead to scarsity of pastureand high
farmers losses.
- Poor soils in Mukono, Kayunga etc lead to agricultural productivity
- Shortage of market for agricultural output discourage investment in agriculture
- Inadequate skilled labour and extension services cause low farm yields in Arua, Kabale, Hoima
etc.
- Inadequate capital to invest in agriculture
- Political instabilities like in Kasese discourage agriculture
- Poor land tenure system that has led to inappropriate sharing of land for agriculture especially
in Buganda limit agriculture.
- Unfavorable relief in Kasese limit agricultural productivity
- Poor transport network discourages farmer who cannot transport their products to the market
leading tohigh post-harvest losses..
- Corruption by government official reduce the funds to be invested in agriculture.

Thanks