Agroforestry Practices in Soroti District, Eastern Uganda: Prospects, Challenges, and Implications for Sustainable Land Use

This study examined the prospects and challenges of agroforestry practices in Soroti Sub-county, Uganda. Data were collected through household surveys, questionnaires, direct interviews, and field observations. Findings show that the majority of respondents were male (76%), and most farmers practiced traditional forms of agroforestry, particularly the integration of fruit trees such as Carica papaya, citrus species, jackfruit, and Mangifera indica within their cropping systems. Common management practices included intercropping, grass fallow, and bush fallow. However, overall yields from agroforestry systems remained low, largely due to limited adoption of improved techniques and inadequate integration of modern and traditional practices. Seedling shortages, insufficient extension services, and lack of technical knowledge further constrained effective agroforestry implementation. Strengthening institutional and extension support, particularly in the provision of technical information and quality seedlings, is therefore essential to enhance productivity and maximize the benefits of agroforestry in the district.