%0 Journal Article
%T Is Cut-Flower Industry Promotion by the Government Negatively Affecting Pollinator Biodiversity and Environmental/Human Health in Uganda?
%A Bin Mushambanyi Th¨¦odore Munyuli
%J ISRN Biodiversity
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/368953
%X A study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 around the flower growing areas in central Uganda to generate baseline information on the status of pollinators. Primary data were gathered using a questionnaire that aimed at determining farmers and flower farm officials¡¯ perceptions on the impact of activities carried out inside greenhouses on pollinators, human health, and on crop production in the surroundings. Results indicated that the quantity of pesticides and fertilizers applied daily varied among the different flower farms visited. Bee species richness and abundance varied significantly ( ) according to flower farm location, to the landscape vegetation type, and to field types found in the surrounding of flower farms. Bee richness found around flower farms varied in number from 20 to 40 species in total across seasons and years. Bee density increased significantly with the increase in flower density. Small-scale farmers were aware of the value and importance of pollination services in their farming business. There was no clear evidence of a direct effect of agrochemicals application on bee communities living in the surrounding habitats. There is a need for further research to be conducted on human health risks and for toxicological studies on soils, plants, flowers, and bees in the farm landscape. 1. Introduction Due to government policy of enhancing crop productivity in response to population growth, agricultural modernization in many forms is increasing at high speed in Uganda. Uganda produces approximately 11.1 million tonnes of flowers and is the second largest in South Saharan Africa after Nigeria. Uganda is among the top 10 producing flowers in the world. The first rose farms in Uganda were planted in 1992 and since then, the country flower industry has grown gradually. The average exports of flowers increased from US$9.72 million in 1998 to US$29.45 million in 2009. About 95% of the production is exported and 5% is sold on local market or thrown away [1]. Uganda¡¯s floricultural sector has over the last 16 years emerged as an important nontraditional export earner, contributing over US$35 million in foreign exchange earnings in 2012 and directly employing over 6500¨C9000 people. The current government of Uganda¡¯s objective for the flower industry is to stimulate its rapid development because of its contribution to the diversification of the export base and rural development. Practically, cut-flower industry is growing in Uganda. Currently, there are many flower firms established in the country. However, various stakeholders from government
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.biodiversity/2014/368953/