In the Kagera region, wetland soils in swampy valleys have a considera
ble potential for food crop production - especially in the dry seasons
. In view of the dramatic degradation of organic matter due to agricul
tural land use of such Umbric Gleysols, the problems of soil fertility
with regard to land use options are discussed. The classification of
soil fertility according to the FCC-system, which is often applied in
the humid tropics, proves to be only partly suitable. In this system,
mainly mid-term variable soil properties are considered whereas the be
haviour of organic matter is disregarded. The conservation of the nutr
ient pool of the Gleysols depends on the establishment of adequate cro
p management in relation to the conservation of their wetland characte
r.