Assessing the impact of domestic goat (Capra hircus) damage upon maize yield in a Ugandan subsistence farming context

Abstract

Capra hircus is a highly adaptable and globally distributed mammal species. Its voracious browsing has made feral populations the focus of extensive pest control operations. However, goats are an important component of many subsistence farming systems, and farmers frequently have to balance their role within the agricultural matrix against considerable damage to immature crops. This paper examines the impact of domestic goat damage upon maize production in northwest Uganda. Nine experimental plots of maize were grown in a farm on the southern edge of Budongo Forest Reserve; three were pruned by goats once a week, three were pruned once a month and three were left to grow without intervention. Maize cobs from goat-damaged plants were significantly shorter and lighter than control groups, demonstrating that preventing domestic animals access to valuable food crops will maximise production. However, subsistence farmers in this area do not consider livestock damage to be a significant risk to crops. I consider the reasons for this disparity, focusing on intolerance to damage by wild animals, and the role of maize leaves in providing quality fodder for domestic species. Controlled pruning of mature maize plants is proposed as a way to balance grain yield and livestock productivity within African subsistence farming systems.

Keywords:

• crop damage
• domestic goat
• maize
• defoliation
• Uganda

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to the Ugandan National Council for Science and Technology and the Ugandan Wildlife Authority for their permission to conduct this research. The project was supported by an Oxford Brookes University scholarship and a Wildlife Conservation Society Research Fellowship, grant from the Parkes Foundation, Wenner Gren Foundation and Primate Conservation, Inc, a British Airways/Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Travel Bursary and discounted equipment from Silva Ltd. Thanks to Dr Kate Hill, the staff of Budongo Forest Project and Nyabyeya Forestry College for their help. We are also grateful to Dr Fred Babweteera for all his support and the generous donation of maize seed. This research would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of Jackson Okuti and Mawa Diedonne. This paper is dedicated to Mawa; a great teacher and a dear friend.