Markus Keck and Peter Fiener (Institute of Geography) and their teams have embarked on an expedition to Western Uganda, generously supported by BayFOR.

In western Uganda, nestled on the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, smallholder farmers face the challenge of growing crops on steep, erosion-prone terrain, leading to ongoing soil degradation. The team aims to investigate the strategies used by these farmers to mitigate erosion and maintain sustainable farming practices on these slopes. They also want to understand the motivations behind farming in such challenging conditions. The researchers' aim is to contribute to a more sustainable future for these communities by addressing soil degradation issues and promoting healthier local soil management.