Determinants of sustainability of tree planting groups in Kaliro district, eastern Uganda

Abstract

This study described the characteristics of Tree Planting Groups (TPGs), assessed the internal and external factors which influence their sustainability, and also determined the influence of TPGs on tree planting and on-farm tree management. Group sustainability was captured as continuous activities for over two years among TPGs that were formed within a decade (2006-2016). The study used a cross-sectional research design where a population of 08 active TPGs with 98 households and 05 disintegrated TPGs with 136 households were involved. Random samples were selected comprising 77, 103 and 126 households from active TPGs, disintegrated TPGs and non-group households respectively for individual interviews. Other forms of data collection were 03 Focus Group Discussions, 13 Key Informant interviews and field observations. Content analysis indicated that group characteristics differed between active and disintegrated TPGs though not in all aspects studied. Differences were in duration of formal meetings, issues discussed during group meetings, decision making, subscription fees, nature of conflicts, and possession of nursery sites, sign posts and bank accounts. Binary logistic regression showed that internal factors of TPGs sustainability were religion, satisfaction and seedling survival. On the other hand, content analysis showed that services from external networks, proximity to busy roads, market and water access were the external factors. Kruskal-Wallis tests showed a significant difference in seedling survivals and retention but not in planted numbers between active, disintegrated and non-group. Log-linear analysis showed that TPGs members managed their woodlots better than non-group. Members’ religion, satisfaction, and seedling survival, Market and water availability, nature of external support and distance to busy roads influence sustainability of TPGs and lastly TPGs play a role in tree planting and on-farm tree management.

Key words: Governance, Management, Cohesion and Resilience.