Socio-economic potential of cattle manure application for crop production in Uganda: A case of Wakiso, Mukono and Kampala Districts.

Abstract

A socio economic survey of small-holder farmers was carried out in the central districts of Wakiso, Mukono and Kampala, Uganda to assess the current situation of small-holder crop-livestock farms with respect to the requirements and options for nutrient applications, including cattle manure, with soil sampling conducted to identify nutrients most limiting to plant production. A total of 95% of the respondents were using cattle manure and 5% inorganic fertilisers. The major benefits obtained from cattle manure were increased yields (41%) and low cost (29%), while negative effects were poor hygienic conditions (25%) and bad odour (19%). The soil test results showed low levels of nitrogen (N); however, scientific research on N availability following application of cattle manure for crop production is lacking in Uganda. The relative effectiveness of N compared to inorganic fertiliser was determined from field and glasshouse experiments. A mechanistic dynamic model, select your nitrogen (SYN) that integrates this knowledge to predict crop N availability, N uptake, potential yield and economic returns, has been developed for possible adoption for Ugandan conditions to improve fertiliser/cattle manure use.