TERMITE CONSERVATION AND MAIZE PRODUCTION IN NAGOJJE SUB COUNTY, BUIKWE DISTRICT

Abstract

Termites are in a serious economic war with human beings. They are social insects which feed and degrade organic matter and growing plants if organic residues are in short supply. Most farmers in Buikwe District use inorganic pesticides to counteract termites, burn bushes and destroy mounds to harvest termites for consumption purposes, greatly reducing their population numbers. .A study of 42 household respondents sampled out of 6,996 households in Nagojje Sub County, Buikwe District was used to determine termite conservation measures and maize production. The findings of the study indicated that most farmers use inorganic insecticides to kill termites (Table 2) because of their nuisance in destroying maize gardens most especially in the dry season (Table 4). This reveals that, farmers are ignorant about the benefits of conserving termites. Researchers therefore recommend sensitization farmers about conservation and sustainable measures of termite control that enable high maize production.