THE EFFECTS OF GROWING RICE IN WETLANDS: A CASE STUDY OF lUMBUYE WETLAND, IGANGA DISTRICT, UGANDA A Research Thesis Presented to the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for award of the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Management And Development BY: Mukebezi Ronald August, 2012 DECLARATION A I declare that this thesis report is my original and personal work and has not been presented for a Degree or any other academic award in any University or Institution of Learning. Signature: Date Mukebezi Ronald DECLARATION B I confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under my supervision. Signature: Date: ··············································· ···························· Dr. Twaha SUPERVISOR ii APPROVAL SHEET This thesis entitled "the effects of growing rice in the wetland, using Lumbuye Wetland, !ganga District as a case study" prepared and submitted by Mukebezi Ronald in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Management And Development has been examined and approved by the panel on oral examination with a grade of PASSED Name and Signature of Chairman Name and Signature of Supervisor Name and Signature of Panelist Name and Signature of Panelist Name and Signature of Panelist Date of Comprehensive Examination: Grade: Name and Signature of Director, SPGSR Name and Signature of DVC, SPGSR iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents; father Mr. Mukebezi Moses, mother Ms Kyoyagala Mary who laid a foundation for my academic field. To the Belgian government through the Beligian Technical Corporation (BTC) Uganda, who sponsored the completion of my master's degree. To my spouse, Ms Shamina Abooki, my son Jeremiah, my brothers and sisters, Mukebezi Susan, Kirenda Eva, kyabogo George and Bamale phiona. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to the following people for the assistance and contributions during the period of my study and research work. Special recognition goes to my supervisor Dr Twaha, for providing me with his professional and constructive guidance before, during and until the completion of this work. I also thank the Beligian government through the (BTC) Uganda, for having accorded me financial assistance through out my study. Thanks also go to the people I met in the field for there cooperation and willingness to avail me with the necessary information. v TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ............................................................................................. 1 1. 2 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................... 6 1.3 Objectives .................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.1 General objective ...................................................................................................... 6 1. 3. 2 Specific objectives .................................................................................................... 7 1.3.3 Research Questions ...................................................................................................? 1.4 Scope of the Study ...................................................................................................... 7 1.4.1 Subject scope ............................................................................................................ 7 1.6 Significance of the study ............................................................................................. 8 Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................................9 CHAPTER TWO ..........................................................................................lO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ............................................................ lO 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Effects of farming in wetlands ................................................................................... 10 2.1.1 The sponge effect... .................................................................................................. 10 2.1.2 Wetland rice may make a major contribution to global warming ......................... 20 2.1.3 Loss of capacity to filter the waters ....................................................................... 22 vi 2.1.4 Vector-borne diseases ............................................................................................23 2.1.5 General effects of crop intensification on biodiversity in rice fields ...................... 23 2.1.6 Impacts related to rice pests .................................................................................. 24 2.1. 7 Effects on soil quality and its characteristics ......................................................... 24 2.2 Solutions to the negative impacts of growing rice in the wetlands .......................... 25 2.2.1 By avoiding flooding ............................................................................................... 25 2.2.3 Massive education ..................................................................................................26 2.2.4 Planting of upland rice ............................................................................................ 26 2.2.5 Water management practices ................................................................................. 27 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................33 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................33 3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 33 3.1 Research design ......................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Sampling Procedure ................................................................................................... 33 3.3 Sample size .................................................................................................................35 3.4 Research Instruments ................................................................................................ 35 3.4.1 Questionnaire Method .............................................................................................36 3.4.2 Interview Method .................................................................................................... 36 3.5 Content Analysis of Secondary Documents ............................................................... 36 3.6 Procedure for data collection ..................................................................................... 37 3. 7 Validity of the instruments ........................................................................................ 37 3.8 Reliability ....................................................................................................................37 3.9 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................ .38 3.10 Ethical considerations ..............................................................................................38 CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................40 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS ............... 40 4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 40 4.1 Background Characteristics of the respondents ....................................................... 40 Gender of respondents ....................................................................................................40 Respondents' level of education ...................................................................................... 42 Number of years of service of respondents in farming ................................................... 42 Respondents' religion ....................................................................................................... 44 EFFECTS OF GROWING RICE IN THE LUMBUYE WETLANDS ......................................... 45 Number of people and where they grow rice ................................................................. .48 Water in the Wetland ...................................................................................................... .49 CHAPTER FIVE .................................................... I II ••• Ill ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 54 5.0 SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.54 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 54 5.2 Summary .... , ..............................................................................................................54 5.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ ,56 5.4 Recommendations