Management and promotion of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda
| dc.contributor.author | Akello, Sarah | |
| dc.contributor.author | Agea, Jacob Godfrey | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-09T10:18:32Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-09T10:18:32Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-07-08 | |
| dc.description | This study advances SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), specifically Targets 2.3 and 2.5, by promoting the sustainable use of wild and semi-wild food plants to improve household nutrition and food security, and to conserve indigenous genetic resources. It contributes to SDG 15 (Life on Land), Targets 15.1 and 15.5, by enhancing biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of indigenous plant species. Additionally, the study addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action), Target 13.2, by emphasizing climate-resilient food systems and local adaptation strategies. The research is aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, particularly the Agro-Industrialisation Programme, by promoting indigenous food value chains and supporting rural livelihoods. It further supports the Natural Resources, Environment, Climate Change, Land and Water Management Programme through efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. The findings provide evidence to inform policies on domestication, commercialization, indigenous knowledge preservation, community seed systems, and participatory research, thereby enhancing food resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable rural transformation in Uganda. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) continue to contribute significantly to household nutrition, livelihoods, and indigenous knowledge systems in many African rural communities, although information regarding their management and promotion in Uganda remains limited. This study examined local management practices, species selection criteria, challenges, opportunities, and improvement strategies associated with WSWFPs in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. A cross-sectional research design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in Mutunda and Kiryandongo sub-counties of Kibanda County. Data were collected from 385 randomly selected households using semi-structured questionnaires, complemented by eight focus group discussions involving knowledgeable community members. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel and MINITAB, while qualitative information was interpreted through thematic content analysis. Results indicated that most households did not intentionally manage WSWFPs, although several respondents practised low-input management approaches such as occasional cultivation, seed broadcasting, selective retention during weeding, transplanting naturally regenerated seedlings, and protecting preferred species within natural habitats. Women were the principal custodians of most management activities. Among the sixty-two recorded species, only thirteen were occasionally cultivated, mainly because of market demand, palatability, rapid maturity, cultural acceptance, and ease of management. Key limitations affecting wider promotion included poor market competitiveness, invasive growth habits of certain species, limited preparation knowledge, negative social perceptions, habitat degradation, and inadequate institutional support. Nevertheless, respondents identified opportunities linked to increasing nutritional awareness, expanding market demand, cultural importance, and ecological adaptability. Suggested interventions included establishment of community seed centres, public sensitisation campaigns, participatory research, policy support, domestication initiatives, commercialisation, and documentation of indigenous knowledge. The study concludes that WSWFPs remain important components of local food systems and biodiversity conservation but require stronger institutional recognition and sustainable management interventions. Integrating these species into national food security, conservation, and climate adaptation frameworks could strengthen rural resilience and sustainable livelihoods in Uganda. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Akello, S., & Agea, J. (2026). Management and promotion of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. East African Journal of Forestry and Agroforestry, 9(1), 205-230. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2707-4323 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/1016 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | East African Nature & Science Organization | |
| dc.subject | Wild and semi-wild food plants | |
| dc.subject | Indigenous knowledge | |
| dc.subject | Ethnobotany | |
| dc.subject | Domestication | |
| dc.subject | Agrobiodiversity | |
| dc.subject | Food security | |
| dc.subject | Plant management | |
| dc.subject | Community conservation | |
| dc.subject | Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom | |
| dc.subject | Uganda. | |
| dc.title | Management and promotion of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda | |
| dc.type | Article |