Knowledge Systems on Functioning and Resource Use Efficiency in Policy and Land Grabbing

Uganda lies in east central Africa, has a tropical climate, and fertile agricultural land. The country has a population of some 42 million, and is mainly land-locked, with Lake Victoria dominating the south east of the country. Agriculture accounts for just under a third of land use, and the country’s main exports are coffee, fish, tea, tobacco and cotton. Some 15% of the country is covered by forest (U.S Department of State, 2012). Some 85% of the population live in rural areas and four in ten of the rural population, predominantly in the north and north east of the country, are considered to be living in abject poverty. Approximately five per cent of rural households are affected by food insecurity (Rural poverty portal, 2012). Agriculture plays an important part in Uganda’s economy, with 80% of all jobs in the agriculture and fishing sectors. While some cash crops are grown for export (particularly coffee, tea, cotton and tobacco), many rural communities have traditionally relied on subsistence agriculture, growing cassava, corn, potatoes and millet, as well as plants for medicinal uses (U.S Department of State, 2012).