INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE PRACTICES EMPLOYED BY SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IN KAGADI DISTRICT, KIBAALE SUB-REGION, UGANDA

Abstract

This paper identifies the use of indigenous knowledge by small holder farmers in Kagadi district of Kibaale sub-region in South Western Uganda. The farmers here practice diverse farming systems and 51% practice either mixed farming and / or intercropping. The results clearly show that 67% of the small holder farmers still use indigenous knowledge in farming. 62% of the technical persons believe that food production and sustainability is due to use of indigenous agricultural knowledge by the local people of the rural communities carrying out mixed farming 71.8% grow crops and also look after domestic animals simultaneously. But all of them (100%) use indigenous knowledge in managing diseases and selection of seeds for planting the following season. They use indigenous knowledge in food security by growing “hard” crops like maize, cassava and beans. These crops have been turned into commercial crops which was not the primary intention originally. They still practice indigenous knowledge in produce quantity and quality, in disease control, in agro- ecosystems and soil fertility management among others. This paper concludes that despite many changes in the agricultural practices, most smallholder farmers use indigenous knowledge in farming mainly because this knowledge has been tested over generations.