Understanding the costs to farmers of deterring crop-foraging wildlife: Lessons from rural Uganda

Addressing conflict between subsistence farmers and crop-foraging wildlife is an increasingly crucial conservation issue. Central to this is understanding the costs to farmers of techniques to deter wildlife from crop fields.... [ view full abstract ]

Addressing conflict between subsistence farmers and crop-foraging wildlife is an increasingly crucial conservation issue. Central to this is understanding the costs to farmers of techniques to deter wildlife from crop fields. Crop foraging often compromises local food security, reduces tolerance of wildlife, and undermines management efforts. Although many species in many regions consume crops regularly, there is relatively little description or quantification of the costs incurred by farmers in attempts to protect their crops. Working in partnership with farmers over two crop-growing seasons in villages adjacent to Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda, systematic observational sampling, interviews, and focus groups were used to examine the dynamics of crop foraging. Findings were then used to develop and evaluate a series of deterrents to crop foraging, leading to a better understanding of the costs associated with deterrent techniques. Primates and bush pigs were the predominant crop-foraging species. Patterns of crop foraging varied spatially and temporally, foraging behaviour differed across species, and losses were expensive for farmers. Farmers did not detect foraging completely and may underestimate the extent of damage. Farmers used a range of crop-protection methods, usually in combination but only intermittently effective. Deterrents implemented at study farms included alarm systems to improve early detection of wildlife, barriers (nets or fences) and border crops, natural repellents, systematic guarding, and alternative crop locations. Farmers identified benefits and shortcomings for each deterrent, which contributed to a comprehensive understanding of costs associated with each deterrent. Insights from the research can inform intervention strategies to address crop-foraging issues and extend development of affordable, locally-appropriate options to mitigate crop losses to wildlife.