Afforestation for Household Livelihoods in Alebtong Town Council, Mid-North Uganda

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to describe how afforestation contributes to household livelihoods in Alebtong Town Council, Nakabela ward, specifically; we described the level of afforestation, determined the livelihoods of households and ascertained the contribution of afforestation to the livelihoods of households in Nakabela Ward. Methodology: A mixed and cross-sectional survey design was employed for this study with a sample size of 56 respondents. A pilot test was conducted to ensure validity and reliability of instruments before use. Whether it is real or not depends on the source of the data. Potential participants were identified as possible beneficiaries who generated ideas for specific study variables. Findings: Findings revealed that afforestation in Nakabela Ward-Alebtong town council is not excessively severe. According to the survey, 80.4% of participants agreed to engage in afforestation, and 85.7% of respondents were aware of it. 10.7% remain uncertain, though. Afforestation is beneficial to the community (55.3%), while 32.1% disagreed. Despite participating in afforestation, 62.4% of respondents said they are not government employees [reported that they are not government employees]. While 26.8% of respondents are neutral, 58.9% of respondents encourage other members of the community to engage in afforestation. In Nakabela terms, 19.6% of respondents disagreed with the bulk of measures used to evaluate afforestation [resulting in disparities in the majority of measures employed to assess afforestation], although the majority agreed. Additionally, the survey found that 73.2% of participants profited from afforestation, with 55.4%, 69.7%, 62.5%, and 76.1% reporting gains in income, food security, healthcare, and timber supply, respectively. Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study contributes to the practice of tree planting as a source of household and community livelihoods even if it calls for awareness for individuals as a means to advancing awareness.