SSocial capital outcomes and ocial capital outcomes and sustainability of Natural resource sustainability of Natural resource

management lower level policies in management lower level policies in Kabale District, South Western Uganda Kabale District, South Western Uganda

Rick KamugishaRick Kamugisha

Land degradation and Collective action

NRM issues in the Highlands NRM issues in the Highlands of SW UGof SW UG

• Decline of soil fertility and yields

• Land degradation and erosion• Weak infrastructure and

institutions • High population growth and

densities• Limited capacity to manage NR• Several conflits of various

dimensions.

Policy IssuesPolicy Issues Poor implementation of byelaws has been linked to limited Poor implementation of byelaws has been linked to limited

adoption and impact of improved NRM technologiesadoption and impact of improved NRM technologies Limited Involvement of local communities ,Poor Limited Involvement of local communities ,Poor

Implementation and weak enforcement of byelawsImplementation and weak enforcement of byelaws

Under decentralization, many local governments in Uganda have Under decentralization, many local governments in Uganda have initiating and reviewing byelaws with limited involvement of the initiating and reviewing byelaws with limited involvement of the local communities in the design and implementationlocal communities in the design and implementation

Policies at various levels and the Constitution of Uganda (1995) Policies at various levels and the Constitution of Uganda (1995) National environment Statute and the Local Government Act National environment Statute and the Local Government Act (1997) provides the right of the public to participate in natural (1997) provides the right of the public to participate in natural resource environmental management but operationalising them is resource environmental management but operationalising them is the problemthe problem

General objective of the studyGeneral objective of the study..

General objective: focused on social capital General objective: focused on social capital outcomes and conditions for sustainability of outcomes and conditions for sustainability of lower level policies and local policy lower level policies and local policy institutions in natural resource management institutions in natural resource management in Rubaya Sub County, Kabale Districtin Rubaya Sub County, Kabale District..

Social Capital Social Capital

Features of social organizations (Social Features of social organizations (Social networks, Social Interactions, norms, social networks, Social Interactions, norms, social trust reciprocity, and cooperation) that trust reciprocity, and cooperation) that facilitate coordination and cooperation and facilitate coordination and cooperation and that enable people to act collectively and that enable people to act collectively and work for mutual benefitswork for mutual benefits

Social capital is a useful way of entering into Social capital is a useful way of entering into debates about civil society.debates about civil society.

One of the 5 assets (Human, political One of the 5 assets (Human, political economic and naturaleconomic and natural

Specific objectiveSpecific objective

Determine the outcomes of the development and Determine the outcomes of the development and implementation of lower level NRM policiesimplementation of lower level NRM policies

Significance of study.Significance of study.

Generated Social capital outcomes and sustainability conditions Generated Social capital outcomes and sustainability conditions of lower level NRM policies on the study area( participation to of lower level NRM policies on the study area( participation to self- mobilization, nature of participation in terms of defined self- mobilization, nature of participation in terms of defined roles and responsibilities, the extent of participation, meetings, roles and responsibilities, the extent of participation, meetings, who participates in terms of gender, wealth, location, position, who participates in terms of gender, wealth, location, position, Scale of participation in terms of plot, farm, household and Scale of participation in terms of plot, farm, household and watershedwatershed

Triggered byelaw reformsTriggered byelaw reforms Participatory participation and sustainability by all stake holders Participatory participation and sustainability by all stake holders

was ensured was ensured Added on the already existing literature available for future Added on the already existing literature available for future

scholars and other people doingscholars and other people doing

Research questionsResearch questions What are the outcomes of lower level natural resource What are the outcomes of lower level natural resource

management policies Implementation in terms of changed management policies Implementation in terms of changed NRM practices in Rubaya Sub County?NRM practices in Rubaya Sub County?

Does the strengthening of social capital through local Does the strengthening of social capital through local institutional development lead to consensus on ways of institutional development lead to consensus on ways of implementing Policy without discriminating against the implementing Policy without discriminating against the poor? poor?

What capabilities and conditions need to be developed to What capabilities and conditions need to be developed to enable participation in lower level policies?enable participation in lower level policies?

What forms of institutional partnerships are needed to What forms of institutional partnerships are needed to support the future continuity and sustainability of support the future continuity and sustainability of community based NRM lower level policiescommunity based NRM lower level policies

HypothesisHypothesis

Social Capital is necessary for Sustainability Social Capital is necessary for Sustainability of NRM lower level policiesof NRM lower level policies

Participation of institutional partnerships will Participation of institutional partnerships will lead to sustainability of lower level NRM lead to sustainability of lower level NRM policiespolicies

Social Capital is not necessary for Social Capital is not necessary for Sustainability of lower level NRM policiesSustainability of lower level NRM policies

Participation of lower level NRM policies of Participation of lower level NRM policies of Institutional partnership will not lead to Institutional partnership will not lead to sustainability lower level NRM policiessustainability lower level NRM policies

Area of studyArea of study

Kitooma Habugarama)Kitooma Habugarama) Mugandu (Kagyera) Mugandu (Kagyera) BurambaBuramba

(Muguli B and Karambo)(Muguli B and Karambo)UGANDAUGANDA

KABALEKABALE

RUBAYARUBAYA

Research MethodologyResearch Methodology

Research designResearch design– Participatory Action Research– Case study - PLDA

Sampling techniques:Sampling techniques:– Purposive sampling – Key informants,PTF and HoD– simple random sampling - Farmers– stratified sampling – Farmers, Dept heads, PTF

Sample size: Sample size: 100 respondents, 100 respondents, – 74 farmers 74 farmers – 21 policy task force members, 21 policy task force members, – 5 Local governments departments from Agriculture, 5 Local governments departments from Agriculture,

Environment, Production planningEnvironment, Production planning

Data collection MethodsData collection Methods

Secondary data: –Literature reviews–Internet and text books

Primary Data:–Structured interviews –Key Informant interviews –Focus group discussions– Observations–Field data and observations–Success stories

Data AnalysisData Analysis

Statistical Package for Social Scientists Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) computer Programme(SPSS) computer Programme

Descriptive methodsDescriptive methods– Frequency, %age, Tables, ChartsFrequency, %age, Tables, Charts

Historical/Trend analysisHistorical/Trend analysis Successful story analysisSuccessful story analysis

Results and Discussions

6 Bylaws were formulated, reviewed, harmonized ,signed 6 Bylaws were formulated, reviewed, harmonized ,signed and approved and approved – 4 VPTF and 1 SPTF 4 VPTF and 1 SPTF

Focused on 3 bylaws Focused on 3 bylaws – Trench makingTrench making– tree planting andtree planting and– Controlled grazing Controlled grazing

Community Social Cohesion Community Social Cohesion

Strong attachment to groups – Social cohesionStrong attachment to groups – Social cohesion Norms, rules of engagement , trust, Membership fee Norms, rules of engagement , trust, Membership fee

ranging shs 100 and 200 per monthranging shs 100 and 200 per month

– 41% belonged two groups only41% belonged two groups only

– 58% belonged to three groups while 58% belonged to three groups while

– 75% belonged to one group only75% belonged to one group only

-1% belonged to no group at all.-1% belonged to no group at all.

Group activities: Byelaw related work, savings and credit, Group activities: Byelaw related work, savings and credit, burial arrangements and purchase of domestic itemsburial arrangements and purchase of domestic items

Community Participation Community Participation

Planning and review meetings Trainings Exchange visits for social learning Collective action on farm and

demonstrations

Positive Outcomes as perceived by Positive Outcomes as perceived by respondents respondents

Increased yields per unit area of cultivated land harvest Increased yields per unit area of cultivated land harvest 1:31:3

Positive change in gender relationship on farm, indicating Positive change in gender relationship on farm, indicating improvement in social capital and reduced conflicts.improvement in social capital and reduced conflicts.

Integration of PTF and byelaw plans into local Integration of PTF and byelaw plans into local development plans.development plans.

Change in attitude and behavior /InteractionsChange in attitude and behavior /Interactions Flow of information on NRM, and Agric through use of Flow of information on NRM, and Agric through use of

established Village Information centres (VICES) and established Village Information centres (VICES) and telecentrestelecentres

Reduced soil and water erosion compared to 2002 (soil Reduced soil and water erosion compared to 2002 (soil erosion, low production on farm) as a result of trenches, agro erosion, low production on farm) as a result of trenches, agro forestry trees and elephant grass and sugar cane”.forestry trees and elephant grass and sugar cane”.

OutcomesOutcomes

Agroforestry technologies and grasses promoted on different slopes to stabilize the soils

Eucalyptus:Eucalyptus:

-Few (3.6%) trees planted on farm boundaries-Few (3.6%) trees planted on farm boundaries

-Drain water and nutrients in the soils-Drain water and nutrients in the soils

-Mostly planted in abandoned land-Mostly planted in abandoned land 53% planted Grevillea and Calliandra species on crop 53% planted Grevillea and Calliandra species on crop

land, farmland and homesteads for SFI and fodderland, farmland and homesteads for SFI and fodder

The trenches in lowlands (swamps) were used for draining The trenches in lowlands (swamps) were used for draining the water to ease cultivation of crops such as Irish potato.the water to ease cultivation of crops such as Irish potato.

77 trenches were established on 119 plots in the hillsides 77 trenches were established on 119 plots in the hillsides in the village with tree species of Calliandra, Grivellea, in the village with tree species of Calliandra, Grivellea, Eucalyptus, Alnus, Napier grass, Kikuyu grass, setaria, Eucalyptus, Alnus, Napier grass, Kikuyu grass, setaria, and Sugar cane which control soil erosion and increase and Sugar cane which control soil erosion and increase

fertilityfertility. .

Ratio of T:P in the locationsLocation Number of

plotsNumber of trenches

Ratio (T:P)

Species of trees and grasses planted

Hill side in the village

119 77 0.65 Calliandra, Grevillea, Eucalyptus, Alnus, Napier grass, Kikuyu grass, Setaria, sugarcane

Hill side in other village

62 15 0.24 Alnus, setaria, Calliandra, Eucalyptus, Napier, sugar cane

Hill top in the village

47 27 0.57 Calliandra,Eucalyptus,Napier, Sesbania

Hill top in other village

25 3 0.12 Eucalyptus, Black wattle

Swamp in the village

43 28 0.65 Eucalyptus, sugarcane

Swamp in other village

6 0 0 None

Negative outcomes as perceived by Negative outcomes as perceived by respondentsrespondents

(43%) - was a slight increase in the rate or extent to which (43%) - was a slight increase in the rate or extent to which norms and byelaws were being broken whilenorms and byelaws were being broken while

(10%)-tremendous increase in the rate in which norms and (10%)-tremendous increase in the rate in which norms and byelaws were being broken byelaws were being broken

Conflicts/ hatred Conflicts/ hatred High costs of making trenches ( 7000 UGX per trench High costs of making trenches ( 7000 UGX per trench

Negative attitude to trench makingNegative attitude to trench making

Negative outcomes Cont’dNegative outcomes Cont’d

(60% ) trench making and tree planting byelaw violated(60% ) trench making and tree planting byelaw violated ( 70%()of males than females (about 45%) -byelaws were being violated( 70%()of males than females (about 45%) -byelaws were being violated Reasons for Violation: Reasons for Violation:

- Cost of tools and seed, - Cost of tools and seed,

-limited knowledge and skills, -limited knowledge and skills,

-old age and physical weakness, -old age and physical weakness,

-limited awareness of byelaws -limited awareness of byelaws

-limited involvement and support of the-limited involvement and support of the

local leader’s in the Implementationlocal leader’s in the Implementation..- Reduced sprit of helping each other(NRM activities-Trench making, Land Reduced sprit of helping each other(NRM activities-Trench making, Land

Shortage especially where to plant trees,Shortage especially where to plant trees,- High cost of tree seeds/Lack of seed/Seedlings and theft of trees escalated High cost of tree seeds/Lack of seed/Seedlings and theft of trees escalated

by distant plots from the homesteadsby distant plots from the homesteads

Sustainability conditionsSustainability conditions

PTF had strong and recognized leadership PTF had strong and recognized leadership PTF/Byelaw activities were seen as complementary to the PTF/Byelaw activities were seen as complementary to the

decentralized local government structures rather than parallel .decentralized local government structures rather than parallel . 4 communities had developed their Collective Visions and Community 4 communities had developed their Collective Visions and Community

Action Plans for NRM byelaw support. Action Plans for NRM byelaw support. PTF proved to be critical in building support and mobilizing the political, PTF proved to be critical in building support and mobilizing the political,

social, human ,financial and technical resources needed to sustain social, human ,financial and technical resources needed to sustain participation of local communities in policy dialogue and action. participation of local communities in policy dialogue and action.

Conclusion and Recommendations Conclusion and Recommendations from respondentsfrom respondents

Increased awareness and knowledge of byelaws, changes in behaviors Increased awareness and knowledge of byelaws, changes in behaviors and attitude and compliance with collective norms that place community and attitude and compliance with collective norms that place community interests above those of individual. Community byelaws gave interests above those of individual. Community byelaws gave individual’s confidence to invest in collective action which created level individual’s confidence to invest in collective action which created level of trust, sharing and cooperation amongst the communities.of trust, sharing and cooperation amongst the communities.

Enforced NRM byelaws was an important driver of agro forestry Enforced NRM byelaws was an important driver of agro forestry technologies and a mechanism for dealing with conflict over the use technologies and a mechanism for dealing with conflict over the use and management of natural resources and ensure fairness especially and management of natural resources and ensure fairness especially for women and elderly with less human, financial, social and political for women and elderly with less human, financial, social and political capitalcapital..

Sustainability: Strengthening of the PTF in bye law issues, conflict Sustainability: Strengthening of the PTF in bye law issues, conflict management and legal issues and stronger linkage and partnership management and legal issues and stronger linkage and partnership with other organizations that deal with natural resource management with other organizations that deal with natural resource management for more support.for more support.

Scaling up the approach to other sub-counties and other districtsScaling up the approach to other sub-counties and other districts

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Farmers in Rubaya Sub-county, Kabale District Farmers in Rubaya Sub-county, Kabale District Kabale District local government leadership Kabale District local government leadership Policy Task ForcesPolicy Task Forces ECAPAPA, IDRC and AUSaidECAPAPA, IDRC and AUSaid for financial support on for financial support on

NRM byelaw and land care workNRM byelaw and land care work NRSP/DFID for funding Policy action researchNRSP/DFID for funding Policy action research ICRAF for funding me on this Research work for M.A ICRAF for funding me on this Research work for M.A Mbarara University of science and TechnologyMbarara University of science and Technology The Almighty God and The Almighty God and My familyMy family