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Characteristics of shade trees used under Arabica coffee agroforestry systems in Mount Elgon Region, Eastern Uganda

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Abstract

Shade trees in coffee farms are promoted worldwide for ecological sustainability and adaptation to climate change. However, contradicting reports on the effects of shade trees in coffee agroforestry systems are emanating from Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) farmers. Therefore, this study: (1) characterized the shade trees in Arabica coffee-based agroforestry system; (2) identified the tree selection criteria used; (3) identified the sources of planting materials; and (4) determined the major factors affecting the growing of shade trees under the Arabica coffee-based system of Mount Elgon. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected coffee farms with and without shade trees. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 107 coffee farmers. Fourteen shade tree species were recorded, and the six most abundant were: Albizia coriaria, Cordia africana, Ficus ovata, Ficus synchromonous, Maesopsis eminii and Grevillea robusta. Least abundant species were Eucalyptus species, Antiaris toxicaria, Artocarpous heterophylus, Mangifera indica and Milicia excelsa. Farmers selected shade trees which were fast growing, had small leaf sizes, with wide crowns, ever-green and of medium height. Fellow farmers were the main source of shade-tree planting materials (P ≤ 0.05). Barriers to shade tree use included resource competition and falling trees damaging the understorey. The results underscore the need for site-specific provision of appropriate shade tree coffee mixes and strategies by policy and development partners for transformation of shaded coffee farming landscapes and livelihoods for improved coffee production.

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Acknowledgements

I acknowledge and thank Mr. Geoffrey Kimenya, Mr. Simon Wayaka and Mr. Ivan Wanambwa for their dedication to the work in the field.

Funding

The first author acknowledges funding from DAAD-RUFORUM In country/In region scholarship programme for sponsoring the field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Esther Sebuliba, Prossy Isubikalu & Nelson Turyahabwe

  2. Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Gerald Eilu

  3. Department of Geography, and Geo-Informatics, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    J. G. Mwanjalolo Majaliwa

  4. Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Higher Education (RUFORUM), P.O Box 16811, Kampala, Uganda

    Adipala Ekwamu

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  1. Esther Sebuliba
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  3. Prossy Isubikalu
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Sebuliba, E., Majaliwa, J.G.M., Isubikalu, P. et al. Characteristics of shade trees used under Arabica coffee agroforestry systems in Mount Elgon Region, Eastern Uganda. Agroforest Syst 96, 65–77 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-021-00688-6

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