School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS)
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Browsing School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) by Subject "Adaptation"
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ItemAdaptation to climate change in agro-based livelihood systems in Katakwi District, Uganda( 2014-08-06) Chono, JaneClimate change is one of the most serious global problems affecting many sectors in recent decades. In particular, the agriculture sector is most at risk to climate change impact more than ever. The impact is even stronger in Africa where agriculture is truly important for the daily subsistence and where adaptive capacity is low. The main objective of this research study was to examine the impact and adaptation to climate change in agro-based livelihood systems. A cross-sectional survey design was used, employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Furthermore, a multistage sampling strategy was used to purposively select the Sub-County for the research investigation. Three villages were selected to participate in the study. A total of 90 households were selected and studied. Data from the household was obtained using a questionnaire with both closed and open ended questions. The study also used structured interviews to obtain information from key informants and focus group discussions to obtain information on coping and adaptation to climate change. The results of the study show that extreme weather events including high rainfall variability, extended droughts and unexpected heavy rainfall causing floods have become more persistent over time. These have impacted on crop yields and livestock production which are the major sources of household livelihood. On coping and adaptation strategies to the effects of climate change, the study reveals that agro-based households have responded to climate change stress by changing emphasis on crops cultivated over time. Specifically, farmers shift emphasis to crop verities that show resilience in terms of yield and reduce their interest in those that register failing yields. Coping mechanisms used by farmers include changes in crop varieties, adjusting planting dates and mixed cropping, walking long distances in search for water for livestock and substitution of water demanding animals with small ruminants. In conclusion, the study notes that the impact of climate change on agro-based livelihood is enormous as evidenced by factors such as the decline in crop production due to rainfall variability. The study concludes that more emphasis should be put in setting up coping and adaptation strategies such as the growing of early maturing and high yielding crops and constructing small reservoirs based on trapping water at household levels. Key words: Adaptation, Agro-based, climate change, drought, floods, Katakwi District, livelihood systems.
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ItemAnalysis of the climate change adaptation practices in the coffee-banana system in Lwengo district(Makerere University, 2023) Mwanje, DenisThis study examined climate change adaptation practices in the coffee-banana farming system in Lwengo district of Uganda. The study aimed at determining the impacts of climate change shocks in the coffee-banana system, assessing the drivers of smallholder coffee-banana climate change adaptation practices employed by smallholder coffee-banana farmers in Lwengo district, and establishing the effectiveness of the adaptation practices in making the coffee- banana farming system and farmers climate resilient. A cross-sectional study design involving qualitative and quantitative approaches was deployed, and data was collected using a questionnaire from 136 randomly selected smallholder households. In addition, ten (10) key informant interviews and four (4) Focus Group Discussions were conducted to obtain qualitative data. Majority of the responses (94%) perceived droughts with no significant association as the main climatic shock facing the banana coffee farming system. 66% of the responses perceived late rainfall onset with a significant association to age X 2 (n=136, df=2) = 6.846, P-value = 0.03 and monthly income X 2 (n=136, df=3) =8.776, P-value= 0.01. Early rainfall cessation (56%) was also reported as one of the climate change shocks in the area and this perception differed significantly across household size with X 2 (n=136, df = 2) = 6.1, P- value = 0.05. The perceived effects of climate change impacts across farm households were reported as crop failure at the flowering and filling stages for especially coffee coupled with reduced soil fertility, water shortage and prevalence of crop pests and diseases. The main adaptation responses to climate shocks were growing of drought resistant crop species – hybrid ‘’Fhia’’ banana, use of retention trenches and application of fertilizers which greatly varied across socio-economic characteristics with the most significant socio-demographic characteristics. For example, farmers whose farming experience was above 20 years were less likely to plant drought resistant crops (β,-3.6, P = 0.016) but were rather more likely to use retention trenches (β, 2.78, P= 0.007) and fertilizers (β, 2.32, P= 0.033). Further, farmers aged 30 years and above were less likely to use fertilizers (β, -1.67, P= 0.02) while those aged 65 years and above were less likely to harvest water (β, -3.6, P= 0.017). Farmers whose land for crop cultivation was insufficient, were less likely to use mulching (β, -1.16, P= 0.022). The effectiveness of these adaptation practices varied greatly across climate shocks and farm households’ productivity. The application of fertilizers was perceived to be highly effective against early rainfall onset (30%), water harvesting and retention renches were highly effective against too much rainfall and flood (67%). Growing of drought resistant crop varieties was highly effective against droughts (56%). Results from a binary logistic regression suggest that farmers aged 60 years and above were less likely to adapt to early rainfall cessation than those aged below 60 years (β, -3.77, P = 0.04). In addition, farmers with a household size of seven (7) people and above were more likely to adapt to late rainfall onset (β, 0.42, P = 0.039). The study recommends further studies focusing on investigating the barriers to effective adaptation amongst the coffee-banana smallholder farmers in Lwengo district and investigating their spatial vulnerabilities to the current and projected climate shocks. The study also recommends that Lwengo district local government should encourage effective locational specific practices such as drought resistant crops, retention trenches and application of fertilizers that support small-holder farmers to build their resilience to climate change.
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ItemFarmers’ vulnerability and adaptation to climate change around Queen Elizabeth National Park- Uganda(Makerere University, 2010-12) Tukezibwa, DoreenThis study analyzed the vulnerability and adaptation of Nyakiyumbu sub-county farmers to climate change and variability based on the socio-economic vulnerability assessment approach by developing a vulnerability index and comparing vulnerability indicators across the seven sub-county parishes. Eleven socio-economic indicators were identified and classified into three to reflect the three components of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data to assess the vulnerability and adaptation mechanisms considered to mitigate climate induced change on agriculture. Parishes that emerged most vulnerable had a lower capacity to adapt. Furthermore, vulnerability was intrinsically linked with socio-economic development. Parishes which had high levels of infrastructure development, high literacy rates, and diversified income sources, were relatively low on the vulnerability index. The differences in the extent of vulnerability among parishes suggest that policy makers should develop parish - specific policies and address climate change at the local level. Investing in the development of underdeveloped parishes of Kayanzi and Muhindi and provision of drought-tolerant crop varieties for parishes with high drought exposure would reduce the vulnerability of Nyakiyumbu sub-county farmers to climate change.
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ItemPerception of and adaptation to climate change among agricultural communities of Kabarole District( 2014-08-06) Muhwezi, Andrew M.This study sought to analyze perception of and adaptation to climate change among agricultural communities of Kabarole district. Specifically, the study examined farmers’ perceptions and understanding of climate change, their responses to climate change shocks, coping and adaptation measures as well as identifying the barriers farmers encounter in the process of adapting to climate change. The study targeted a sample size of 120 households. Guided interviews were conducted with one member of the household that was responsible for making decisions on what agricultural operations the household undertook. The data collection survey exercise was done between April and May 2011 followed by data coding and analysis using SPSS. The study revealed that a substantial proportion of households (92.5 percent) had heard of and were knowledgeable about climate change. Variations in temperature, episodes of prolonged droughts, variations in rainfall and rainfall patterns stood out as observed changes that were significant in drawing farmers’ attention to changes in climate. Changing farm practices, participating in work for food arrangements, selling of household assets emerged as coping responses to climate change shocks. These also doubled as adaptation measures in the long run. Farmers believed that previous harvest storage practices and farm diversification would serve as better alternative adaptation strategies if government strategically intervened. The Logistic regression results found that women had higher chances of changing crop variety compared to men. Responses after drought varied as well according to location and farmer experience. Farmers who had spent more than ten years in farming had increased odds of changing crop variety compared to those who had practiced for less than five years. Limited access to credit, inputs, information and government support were some of the barriers mentioned to hinder the adaptation efforts. Government needs to intervene strategically to promote adaptation strategies such as increasing irrigation so as to enable farmers produce all throughout the year as opposed to leaving farmers to rely on rainfall whose variation has led decline in crop production and poses threats to their livelihoods.
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ItemRole of collaborative learning in climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers in Kiboga District(Makerere University, 2024-11) Kekirunga, PatienceDespite collaborative learning playing a significant role in climate change adaptation process, few studies have documented collaborative learning forms, practices, motivating factors for collaborative learning and its benefits in climate change adaptation. The aim of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of collaborative learning and its role in climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers. Across-sectional survey was conducted using semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from 265 randomly selected small-holder farming households followed by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to map the existing collaborative learning networks for climate change adaptation. Binary logistic regression, Principal component analysis, Chi-square test of association, descriptive statistics and Ordinal logistic regression were applied for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that informal collaborative learning was the most dominant form among smallholder farmers in the study area. The most collaborative learning practices included peer to peer engagements (91.1%), field visits (79.5%) and agricultural trainings (97.1). Surprisingly, a small number of smallholder farmers were involved in formal collaborative learning practices such as agricultural symposia (0.7%), agricultural workshops (2.2%), seminars (2.2%) and public meetings (2.9%). The study revealed five collaborative learning networks including; water and pasture management practices, soil and water conservation practices, improved animal breeds, indigenous pest and diseases management practices, and indigenous animal breeding. The motivating factors to participate in collaborative learning for climate change adaptation from this study were; acquiring knowledge and information about adaptation strategies, accessing agricultural services and resources, awareness of climate change impacts and desire to adapt, social networks, trust and transparency of participants. The study established that collaborative learning has improved understanding of climate change and its impacts however, there is an insignificant improvement in adaptation planning and implementation of adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers. Further studies should explore strategies and approaches to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing among academic institutions, researchers and smallholder farmers in collaborative learning for climate change adaptation. Government should develop policies and plans that support institutions to participate in collaborative learning for climate change adaptation with smallholder farmers.
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ItemSmallholder farmer's perceptions of climate change and adaptation practices in Kitgum district(Makerere University, 2021-02) Adoch, BettyThis study assessed smallholder farmers ' perceptions of climate change and adaptation practices in Kitgum District, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey design was deployed to examine smallholder farmers' perception and its impacts on climate change, adaptation practices, perceived effectiveness and actual effectiveness using cost benefit analysis of the adaptation practices. Data was collected using mixed methods. including, household survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGDS) and Key Informant Interviews (K II). Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 23), STA TA so ft ware and excel to generate inferential and descriptive statistics like frequencies, percent ages and chi-square tests, to establish relationship between variables and cost benefit analysis. These were presented in tables and graphs. Content analysis was used to generate themes emerging from the qualitative data. Results show that all smallholder farmers perceived climate change through rain fall and temperature. The most perceived climate change impacts were decrease in rain fall amount , shift in rain fall patterns, drought occurrence, increase in temperature and extreme heat stress. Results from multinomial logistic regression analysis show that only primary level of education was a positive predictor and significant (p-0.027) for decrease in rainfall amount. Descriptive statistics shows that most of the smallholder farmers are adapting to the perceived decrease in rainfall amount and increase in temperature. More so, several socio-economic characteristics are influencing adaptation practices with the most significant ones being age, education level, main agricultural activity and major source of income. Mixed farming and intercropping were considered effective adaptation practices. while mulching and irrigation not effective adaptation practices. For the cost benefit analysis (CBA). adaptation practices considered profitable were intercropping. early planting of groundnut and simsim and planting fast maturing maize crops. Those not profitable were mixed fanning, drought tolerant crops, early planting of maize and millet and fast maturing cassava crop. It is recommended that smallholder farmers should consider early planting in their overall adaptation practices since it was considered cost effective. However, this will require technical interventions by extension workers to ensure that adaptation responses are holistic and sustainable.