TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION i

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

TABLE OFCONTENTS vi

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGURES Ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTERONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1

1.1.1 The State ofthe Rangelands 2

1.2 Problem ‘Statement 4

1.3 Purpose of the Study 5

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.5 Research Questions 6

1.6 Scope ofthe Study 7

1.7 Significance ofthe Study 7

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CHAPTER TWO .8

LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.1 Introduction 9

2.2 Definition ofrangelands 9

2.3 Characteristics ofrangelands 9

2.4 Herding Systems 12

2.4.1 Communal Grazing 12

2.4.2 Tethering 13

2.4.3 Intensive and semi intensive farming 13

2.4.4 Ranching 13

2.5 Effects of Cattle grazing on rangelands 13

2.5.1 Land Degradation 13

2.5.2 Land use Conflicts 14

2.5.3 Declining quality and quantity ofpastures 15

2.6 Improvement of Rangelands 16

2.6.2 Grazing management 17

2.6.3 Sedentarisation ofNomads through Privatization ofRangeland an~ Ranches 17

2.6.4 Shrub control 17

2.6.5 Reseeding 18

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CHAPTER THREE .19

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 19

3.1 Introduction 19

3.2 The Research Design 19

3.3 The study Area 19

3.4 Population ofthe Study 20

3.5 Sample Size and Selection 20

3.6 Data Collection Procedures 20

3.7 Data Analysis 21

CHAPTER FOUR 22

FINDINGS, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION 22

4.1Introduction 22

4.2 Key characteristics ofthe respondents 22

4.5 Cattle grazing systems and Practices in the Rangelands 26

4.7 Problems of cattle grazing on rangelands 31

4.8 Adaptation mechanisms put in place to minimize the effects of Cattle grazing on rangelands

in Kiruhura District 36

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CHAPTER FIVE .38

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 38

5.1 Introduction 38

5.2 Summary 38

5.3 Conclusions 39

5.4 Recommendations 40

REFERENCES 44

APPENDICES 46

Appendix 1: Research Questionnaire

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in Nyabushozi county Kiruhura District and the objectives of the studywere to the forms and nature of grazing systems practiced in the area, find out the effects grazing of on rangelands, to assess the adaptation mechanisms put in place to minimize the effects of Cattle grazing and suggest possible solutions of the effects on rangelands in Kiruhura District. The study was carried out using instruments of data collection included questionnaires, interviews and observation. In the study, it was revealed that the major farming practices included animal keeping, grazing and watering herds, controlling their diseases, keeping records of the animals, pasture management, breeding the animals and marketing ofthe animals and their products. The major problems of cattle grazing on rangelands were identified vegetation; loss of vegetation cover, litter cover, infiltration, soil compaction, decline in vegetation condition and reduced forage production. Soils were considered loss of soil fertility and soil erosion led by most overgrazing. Water resource has been checked with water availability which is most determined by seasonality and water quality was poor. The research has pointed out that bush burning, having many watering points, grazing animals up to the watering points, regular draining of the wells were the major adaptation mechanisms of reducing the effects of cattle grazing on rangelands in Kiruhura District. The study has came up with recommendations including destocking, improvement of animal condition, controlled bush burning, record keeping, rangeland rehabilitation and proper management, ecological balancing of animal productivity and ranges, provision of extension services, adapting livestock fanning act and range monitoring.