Insights into Mango Productivity: Agronomic Practices, Soil Parameters, and Pest Management in Western Uganda

In Uganda, mangoes rank among the top five most popular and economically significant fresh fruits. Despite concerted governmental efforts to promote mango cultivation through nationwide distribution of planting materials, farmers continue to face significant challenges. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to assess mango productivity, focusing specifically on agronomic practices, soil conditions, and pest and disease management. The qualitative and quantitative data collected illuminated various pertinent issues. Notably, farmers exhibited specific preferences for particular mango varieties, while notable variations in flower and fruit abortions were recorded among these varieties. Alarmingly, a significant 90.9% of farmers reported not using fertilizers, indicating potential deficiencies in nutrient management practices. Furthermore, the study highlighted pests and diseases, particularly mango fruit flies and anthracnose, as major impediments to production, with 42.7% of respondents identifying them as critical challenges. Given these insights, it is essential to develop targeted interventions to enhance mango productivity in Uganda. Keywords: Agronomic practices, Mango productivity, Nutrient management, Pests and Diseases, Western Uganda