PARTHENIUM WEED SURVEY AND MANAGEMENT IN UGANDA REPORT – 2008 - 2013

1. PARTHENIUM WEED SURVEY AND MANAGEMENT IN UGANDA REPORT – 2008 - 2013 GERALD KYEYUNE,JENNIPHER BISIKWA International Workshop for USAID IPM CRSP on Biological Control Management of Parthenium weed. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 13th-17th July 2014

2. Introduction: Geography of Uganda • Location • BetweenLatitudes 420 N, 150S • Between longitudes 280 W, 350 E • Bisected by the Equator • Climate • Mean annual temp:160C SW, 250C NW, 300C NE • Rainfall: Bimodal= April/May & Oct./Nov.

3. Geography of Uganda cont…. • Land size • Total area 241,039 km2 • Land area = 197,097 km2 • Arable land = 42% • Cultivated area = 21% • Population • 37million (current projection)

4. Agriculture in Uganda • Major economic activity = AGRICULTURE • Contributes 42% of GDP • Contributes 75% of total exports • Back-bone of the economy • Employs over 80% of the population • Mainly “traditional” farming as opposed to green revolution technologies

5. Invasive weeds in Uganda • Partheniumhysterophorus • Lantana camara • Oxalis latifolia • Eichhorniacrassipes • Acacia • Mimosa pudica • Salviniamolesta (recent)

6. The problems of weeds • Weed management present a major cost in food production • Compete with crops for resources • Lead to yield loss • Contaminate harvested grains • Alternative hosts of diseases and pests • Cause depreciation of land value • Interfere with irrigation, navigation & fishing

7. Work done on Parthenium weed in Uganda 1. Survey • Objectives of the survey • Determine the occurance, distribution and abundance of Parthenium in Uganda. • Sensitize the public about problems associated with Parthenium • Devise management approaches to contain, control / eradicate Parthenium

8. Map of Uganda Showing Parthenium infested sites

9. Parthenium infested sites 2014

10. Parthenium infested sites 2014

11. Parthenium infested sites 2014

12. Work done cont’d 2. Management strategies • Public awareness • Radio and TV announcements • News paper notices • Poster exhibits – Agricultural Shows • Local council meetings • Involving students in research • Eradicating infested sites • Physical approaches • Chemical

13. Management trials • Site:Makerere University campus • Management approaches studied; • Hand hoeing • Hand pulling • Control • Herbicide • Common salt • Mulching • Slashing • Integrated

14. Management trials - Results

15. Challenges in managing Parthenium weed in Uganda • Ignorance • Government priorities • Geographical location – route to other countries • Favorable climate • Availability of Resources

16. Way forward • Increase public awareness • Further research in management of the weed • Continue surveys and eradication from the infested sites • Seeking government and donor intervention

17. Acknowledgements • USAID IPM CRSP on Parthenium management project coordinated by Dr. WondiMersie for financial support • Dr. A. Witt, who first sighted Parthenium in Uganda • Dr. GadiGumisiriza, Invasive Species Management Project, NARO • Makerere University

19. THANK YOU