Local farming systems in Uganda are due to the climate of the area.
Teso system
The system is carried out in the region of Tororo and Teso.
The area has flat land with sandy loam soils.
Ox-plough cultivation is used.
Large number of animals are kept.
The area receives a monomodal rainfall pattern.
Banana – Robusta coffee system
It is carried around the fertile Lake Victoria crescent in districts of Mukono, Mpigi, and Wakiso Kiboga etc.
It is characterized bimodal rainfall distribution.
The major cash crop is Robusta coffee and others include tea, sugar cane and vanilla. Major food crop is banana and other include sweet potatoes, cassava and maize.
Tractors and hoes are mainly used for cultivation.
Livestock keeping is also carried and dairy farming is taking root.
Banana millet cotton system
It is carried out in Tororo, Iganga, Hoima, Masindi and Kamuli.
The area experiences bimodal rainfall distribution pattern.
The soils are slit clay loams of medium fertility.
Major food crops are millet and banana. Cotton and tobacco are the major cash crops.
The system has more livestock compared to Banana Robusta coffee system
Northern system
It is carried out in Lango, Lira, Gulu, and Kitgum.
Major cash crops are cotton and tobacco and finger millet as food crop.
The area experiences a mono modal rainfall distribution pattern which favours the growing of annual crops.
Granaries are constructed to be used in storage of farm produce.
Communal land ownership is practiced.
West Nile system
It is practiced in north western Uganda.
It experiences a long heavy rainy season due to its nearness to Congo basin.
Cash crops like Arabic coffee is grown on highland and cotton and tobacco are grown on low lands.
Food crops include cassava, finger millet, simsim, cow peas, maize and beans.
Some cattle, goats and sheep are managed at subsistence level.
Montane system
It is practiced in mountainous regions of Kigezi, Sebei, Mbale and Rwenzori.
Soils in these areas are fertile and deep. Some are volcanic soils.
Rainfall received is high and bimodal in distribution.
Major cash crop is Arabica coffee. Food crops include bananas, Irish potatoes, wheat, sweet potatoes and a variety of vegetables and legumes.
Contour ploughing and terracing are common methods of soil and water conservation.
Livestock rearing is also carried out in these areas though it is limited by topography and high population.
Pastoral system
It is carried out by the pastoral tribes such as Karamojong and Bahima of Ankole.
A large number of cattle and goats of low quality are kept.
Little farming of annual crops such as millet, sorghum and maize is done.
Due to large herds kept, there is constant overgrazing, bush burning and random mating.
Occasionally they move with their animals from place to place in search of water and pasture.
Land is owned communally.
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