NRU :: Browsing by Author "Mfitumukiza, David"

Browsing by Author "Mfitumukiza, David"

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Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda
(African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 2020) Nanfuka, Susan; Mfitumukiza, David; Egeru, Anthony
Ecosystems provide climate-change adaptation opportunities including ecosystem services, adaptation benefits and livelihood improvement especially for natural resource dependent communities. To contribute to the understanding of location specific adaptation processes of predominantly agro-pastoralists, a study was carried out in the central cattle corridor of Uganda to characterise ecosystem-based drought Adaptations. A cross sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were employed among 183 randomly selected households. The ecosystem-based adaptations (EbAs) to perceived drought impacts were characterised basing on ecosystem services, adaptation benefits to drought and livelihood improvement categories unveiling the different proportions of each EbA under each category. Water shortage and intense heat were the major perceived drought impacts. The use of drought resistant shade trees, water reservoirs and dams, and alternative ecosystem-based livelihoods were the majorly utilised EbAs. The alternative ecosystem-based livelihoods were the mostly used EbA dominating all the three categories. The utilisation of drought resistant shade trees dominated the ecosystem services and adaptation benefits categories, whereas the use of water reservoirs and dams were the mostly used EbA for livelihood improvement. These EbAs should be incorporated in climate-change adaptation policies and initiatives, while considering their subsequent dominating categories to enhance farmers’ resilience.
Choice Options to Meet Household Food Security in the Cattle Corridor of Uganda
(Environment and Natural Resources Journal, 2017) Mbolanyi, Betty; Egeru, Anthony; Mfitumukiza, David
This study identified the major options adopted by households in the rangelands of Uganda to meet their food needs, the factors that affect their choices and barriers to making use of various choices. A cross-sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaires was administered among 180 pastoral households in selected rangeland area of Uganda. The options identified include restocking animals, changing planting dates, soil conservation, harnessing new technologies, planting trees and buying food stuffs. Analysis of results from the multinomial logistic model indicated that age, level of education, size of household, years in current location, farm income, non-farm income, livestock ownership, access to extension services and climate and weather information were key determinants of farmers’ choice of options to realize household food security. The major perceived barriers to choice options were lack of information on alternative options, poor technologies, climate variability, inadequate land, high food prices and low income. The analysis of choice of options to meet household food security suggests a number of different policy options such as strengthening production facilitation options available to pastoral communities including among others access to affordable credit, investing in yield-increasing technologies, introduction of livestock species that are better suited to drier conditions, raising awareness on climate related variations, creating opportunities for off-farm employment, encouraging pastoralists to grow more crops, and investing in irrigation.
The Contribution of Farmer Field Schools in Facilitating Smallholder Farmer’s Adaptation to Drought in Kiboga District, Uganda
(International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2017) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Carter, Lynne; Nankya, Anna Maria; Nansamba, Grace; Okiror, John Francis; Lukanda, Ivan; Sengendo, May; Mbogga, Michael Ssekaayi
Farmer Field Schools (FFS) represent a significant step forward in agricultural education by facilitating farmers adapt to drought. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of FFS in facilitating smallholder farmer’s adaptation to drought in Kiboga District inclusive of gender and communication perspectives. A total of 120 FFS-members and 60 non-members were randomly selected and administered with questionnaires in Kapeka, Dwaniro and Bukomero sub-counties. Using descriptive statistics, the results revealed that in crop production, the FFS members largely responded to drought by early/delayed planting, carrying out micro-irrigation, growing of vegetables, rainwater harvesting and application of organic manure; while in livestock production, they fetched water, sold livestock, grew hay, hired shelter for livestock protection and collected feeds. These divergent options were incomparable to those applied by the non-FFS members. Irrespective of memberships, the women were more directly involvement in crop and livestock adaptation related activities compared to their counterparts. In addition, both FFS members and non-members revealed to have implemented adaptation responses learnt from fellow farmers, friends, community announcers, extension officers and local council leaders. As a result, the application of adaptation responses increased the smallholder farmer’s social relations, income levels and food security status.
Contribution of Rangelands to Household Food Basket and Income in a Pastoral Area in Uganda
(Journal of Food Security, 2016) Mbolanyi, Betty; Egeru, Anthony; Mfitumukiza, David
Rangelands are important ecosystems as they offer livelihood options and food security to many people in Uganda. There is barely any study that has analyzed the intricate relationship between household food basket, income and rangelands in Uganda. This study determined the contribution of rangelands to household food basket and income in Nakaseke district, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaires was conducted among 180 randomly selected households. The survey was aimed at determining the relationship between rangeland resources, food basket and income. Results showed that rangeland resources contribute significantly (p<0.05) to household food basket and income during both dry and wet seasons. Water, grass and shrubs were the most important rangeland resources in the area. On average, a household expended US$ 4.29 and US$ 4.04 daily on milk during the wet and dry seasons respectively. This accounted for the largest household expenditure on household food items. The household food basket is constituted by milk, meat from cattle and goats, posho, cassava, beans, vegetables, fruits, honey, sugar and oil. Four months; January-March and July-August were observed to have the lowest resource availability during the year. On average, households earned US$ 20.07 per month translating to US$ 240.84 annually. This average is lower than the US$571.9 national estimated per capita income. The average monthly income of the households during the wet and dry seasons was US$ 22.4 and US$ 17.7 respectively. Seasonal differences in income were however non-significant (p>0.05). The logistic regression results showed that size of land owned significantly influences cattle numbers and income at household level but does not influence the number and type of crops cultivated and available food reserves. Seventy three percent (73%) of the households attributed their livestock herd sizes to the presence of vast expanses of the rangeland. These findings show that rangelands are the most important contributors to household food basket as well as household assets such as livestock that have influence on household food security.
Determinants of ecosystem-based adaptation to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda
(African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2020) Nanfuka, Susan; Mfitumukiza, David; Egeru, Anthony
Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is widely recognised as an important strategy for strengthening climate change resilience. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence on the factors that facilitate or impede EbA for ecosystem services, adaptation benefits and livelihood improvement. In this study, the determinants of EbA to drought were assessed. A mixed quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional survey among 183 farmer households was undertaken in the central cattle corridor of Uganda. The majority of the interviewed respondents were female (60.1%) who mainly carried out agro-pastoral farming (63.4%), a practice 83.2% of them learned through indigenous knowledge transfer. A multinomial logit (MNL) model based analysis was used to establish the determinants of EbA to drought. Ecosystem services, adaptation benefits and livelihood improvement were each made a base category thus yielding three MNL models. The significant (p<0.05) factors from all the three MNL models for EbA to drought were access to extension services, time (hours) spent daily on farm by farmers, land size under crop farming, type of major agricultural activity, average annual income, membership to farmer organisation and use of indigenous knowledge. These factors provide a vital knowledge base for fostering EbA policy formulation and implementation among agro-pastoral farmers to increase their resilience to drought. Climate change adaptation initiatives, institutions and governments should support education and information dissemination about EbA to farmers particularly in rangeland areas.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Drought among Agro-pastoral Farmers: Opportunities and Constraints in Nakasongola District, Central Uganda
(Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, 2017) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Ntale, Emmanuel
Understanding the context and importance of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) by agro-pastoralists is important for building climate resilient social and ecological systems amidst the changing climate. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine the EbA to drought by the smallholder farmers in Nakasongola District where a total of 100 respondents were randomly selected and subjected to interviews. To supplement on this information, a land use/cover spatial dataset of 2016 for Uganda was obtained and analysed to characterise and quantify the distribution of ecosystems utilised by the agro-pastoralists in the District. The spatial results revealed that the grassland (1524.6sq.km) and agricultural (agroecosystem) (779.1sq.km) ecosystems were the largest ecosystems followed by the forest/woodland and freshwater ecosystems in terms of coverage. The farmers perceived severe droughts to occur between December to January for the last 30 years with an average of 4 years return period. The agro and grassland ecosystems were the main contributors of drought adaptation opportunities compared to the freshwater and forest/woodland ecosystems. The direct and indirect opportunities involved goods and services such as water provision, mulching materials, food provision, fuelwood, regulation of air quality and water flow. However, the major constraints to EbA included rampant deforestation, limited knowledge on ecosystem conservation and overgrazing. Thus increasing water supplies for domestic and agricultural production is more likely increase the farmer’s adaptation to drought
Extent and Rate of Deforestation and Forest Degradation (1986–2016) in West Bugwe Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
(International Journal of Forestry Research, 2021) Mutesi, Fatuma; Tabuti, John Robert Stephen; Mfitumukiza, David
Understanding the extent of land cover change and the forces behind land cover changes is essential in designing appropriate restoration strategies. Land cover changes at local scales or the factors that lead to cover change have not been documented for much of Uganda. We undertook this study in West Bugwe Central Forest Reserve (WBCFR) to fill this gap. We used remote sensing to determine land cover changes for a 30-year period, 1986–2016, and an interview survey to investigate the drivers of these changes. Our results show that the forest in this reserve has declined extensively by over 82% from 1,682 ha to 311 ha corresponding to an average change of −1.18% per year. &e wetland has also been extensively degraded. Both the forest and wetland have transitioned into shrub land. &e key drivers that have been highlighted by the survey are poverty (86%), population growth (56%), and associated harvesting of woody products (86%) for subsistence and income generation. We conclude that the forest in WBCFR has been extensively and rapidly deforested and degraded by humans.
Influence of Literacy on the Smallholder Farmer’s Ability to Adapt to Drought in Pallisa District, Eastern Uganda
(Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2017) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Amuge, Barbra Catherine
Functional literacy if well-applied increases lifelong livelihood opportunities for the smallholder farmers faced with drought episodes. This study examined the influence of literacy on the smallholder farmer’s ability to adapt to drought. The social-economic data was collected and analysed using both multi-stage and cross-sectional sampling methods. A total sample of 153 smallholder farmers was randomly selected from Gogonyo, Kameke, Kamuge and Kasodo sub-counties and administered household questionnaires. The study results revealed that there was a very significant relationship between literacy (reading and writing) and adaptation to drought by the smallholder farmers (p<0.05). This was brought about by remarkable functional literacy players. The farmers recognised non-governmental organisations (65%) and farmer associations (20%) as the major contributors of their functional literacy levels followed by the government (15%) through extension programmes. Specifically, community public gathering including public announcements, farmer field schools with 70% and use of visual aids (posters) –(20%) were the major modes of adaptation content delivery to the smallholder farmers followed by the use of electronic media such as radios, television (6%) and use of public documents like newspapers and magazines with 4%. However, the shortfalls in the acquisition of literacy were largely caused by the farmer’s nonattendance to the schools and training, insufficient knowledge to comprehend, shortage of scholastic writing materials, trekking longer distances to educational centres and inadequate financial resources to meet their school requirements. Above all, the promotion of reading and writing literacy skills amongst the smallholder farmers is more likely to trigger, improve and lead to the introduction of adaptation innovations that are critical in improving the farmer’s resilience and livelihood status.
Interconnectedness of Ecosystem Services Potential with Land Use/Land Cover Change Dynamics in Western Uganda
(Land, 2022) Kaheesi Kusiima, Samuel; Egeru, Anthony; Namaalwa, Justine; Byakagaba, Patrick; Mfitumukiza, David; Mukwaya, Paul; Mensah, Sylvanus; Asiimwe, Robert
Understanding the evolution of land use/land cover change (LULCC) and how it shapes current and future ecosystem services (ES) supply potential remains critical in sustainable natural resource management. Community perception of historic LULCC was reconciled with previous study via remote sensing/geographical information systems using recall data in the Budongo–Bugoma landscape in Uganda. Then, a CA-Markovian prediction model of a LULC situation in 2040 under business as usual (BAU) and forest restoration scenarios was constructed. Additionally, we assessed the perceived proximate and underlying drivers of LULCC, and how LULCC shapes ecosystem services potential using household surveys. The perceived LULCC trend for the past three decades (1990–2020) corresponded with previous studies showing grassland, bushland, tropical high forest, and wetland cover declined greatly, while subsistence farmland, commercial farmland, and built-up areas had a great increment. The predicted LULC under (i) the business as usual scenario showed a continued decline of natural LULC while anthropogenic LULC increased greatly, tending to cover half of the landscape area; (ii) forest restoration under different levels showed an improvement of forest cover and other native LULC classes with a decline in mostly subsistence farmland. The proximate drivers were in three principal components (soil infertility, subsistence farming, drought; infrastructural development, commercial farming, overstocking of livestock, pest and disease challenges; tree planting), while underlying drivers were in two principal components (technology adoption, corruption of environment stewards, policy implementation gaps; cultural gaps). Food and cash crops were perceived to be the most important ecosystem services in the landscape. Generally, the landscape ES supply potential was dwindling and predicted to continue with a similar trend under BAU, despite the increment in ES contribution of subsistence and commercial farmland. Forest restoration would slightly improve the landscape ES potential but would cause a decline in subsistence farmland, which would result in either a threat to food/livelihood security or a livelihood shift. We recommend combined interventions that seek to achieve a progressive frontier that achieves development needs and priorities based on national need such as food security through local level production with recognition for sustainable availability of ecosystem services.
Life cycle assessment of products from agro-based companies in Uganda
(The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2019) Mfitumukiza, David; Nambasa, Hawah; Walakira, Paul
Despite the fact that life cycle assessment (LCA) is a very vital tool, it has not been used in Uganda most likely because very little is known about it. In an attempt to initiate and promote LCA in Uganda, a partnership among Makerere University, selected agrobased companies, and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) was initiated with the broad aim of promoting life cycle thinking for improved agricultural products competitiveness on regional and international market. Specifically, the study focused on assessing and quantifying the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of selected products. Methods Life cycle assessment toolwas used to quantify environmental impacts including globalwarming, ecological toxicity, human toxicity, photochemical oxidation, and abiotic depletion. A detailed, process-based gate-to-gate (core process) LCA approach in accordance with ISO 14040, 14044 (ISO 2006a, b), PCR 2012:07 CPC 013 Fruits and nuts together with PCR 2011:08, CPC 2143 Fruit juices was conducted. The functional units have been redefined to; 1 litre of packaged juice ready for consumption and 1 kg of packaged dried fruits including the non-edible parts. Calculations at the farm stage involved calculations of net emission from land cover changes using; ΔC = (activity data * emission factor). Calculations of N2O from manure management were obtained. Results and discussion Carbon dioxide emissions mainly result from the change of tree cover to crop fields and use of fossil fuel. The other impact categories (ecological toxicity, human toxicity, photochemical oxidation, and abiotic depletion) were brought about by the packaging material used. Results also showed that energy consumption was highest at the agricultural stage of dried pineapples processing and production/factory life cycle stage of sweet bananas. The main challenge during assessment was lack of records. Conclusions There is need for avoiding or minimizing the conversion of forest-covered land into agricultural land use due to the high-carbon emissions associated with the change, and for switching to renewable energy sources. There is need for a national database to support LCA efforts.
Perceived effects of drought on household food security in South-western Uganda: Coping responses and determinants
(Weather and Climate Extremes, 2019) Twongyirwe, Ronald; Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Naggayi, Barbara R.; Odongo, Hannington; Nyakato, Viola; Mutonie, Grace
Food insecurity is a region–wide problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbated by severe drought, with devastating impacts at the household level. However, farmers' coping strategies and their determinants remain under– documented. In this study, we: 1) characterise relationships between perceptions of drought and food insecurity and corresponding household coping responses, 2) compare livelihood characteristics of farmers that perceived food insecurity as a problem and those who did not, and 3) investigate how household-level characteristics correspond to household coping strategies. Our study is exploratory in nature: we administered a questionnaire to 140 farmers in Isingiro district in South-west (SW) Uganda whose livelihood is predominantly dependent on crop production. We employ binomial and multinomial logistic regression models to identify the determinants of the respondents’ perceptions, how household characteristics correspond to household perceptions of food insecurity, and factors that affect coping responses. Our data show that 68.6% of the respondents perceived food insecurity as a problem in their household. Access to credit for crop cultivation increased the likelihood (p < 0.05) that farmers will be more aware and concerned about household food security status. Farmers were more likely to use the credit as a buffer against food insecurity. Whilst drought is widely perceived (by 95.6%: 133) as a problem contributing to food insecurity, the coping responses are wide-ranging. However a considerable 13% (of the total) reported to be “doing nothing” to respond to the drought effects. Notably, farmers that did not perceive food insecurity as a problem have higher (p=0.01) off-farm incomes and larger (p=0.00) farm sizes on average compared to those that did. Significant (p < 0.05) determinants of coping strategies include a combination of size of farmland, total income from crops, number of livestock and marital status. Broadly, our study indicates that households believe they are most at–risk of drought–induced food insecurity. Access to credit and alternative means of livelihood may offer resilience building options.
Rainwater harvesting knowledge and practice for agricultural production in a changing climate: A review from Uganda’s perspective
(Agricultural Engineering International, 2018) Kiggundu, Nicholas; Wanyama, Joshua; Mfitumukiza, David; Twinomuhangi, Revocatus; Barasa, Bernard; Katimbo, Abia; Birungi Kyazze, Florence
With a changing climate in Uganda, rainfall distribution patterns have become more irregular over time and space. Excess water during rainy season is causing runoff, soil erosion, nutrient depletion and crop damage which reduces the productive capacity of land, while on the other hand, prolonged droughts during the crop growing period have become common occurrences. Additionally, pastoralists lose livestock during the dry period each year in the Cattle Corridor of Uganda due to water shortage and lack of forage. It thus remains difficult to achieve the agricultural development targets identified in the National Development Plan for Uganda, without addressing regular incidences of adverse impacts of climate change. Currently there are no well explained approaches which can contribute to adoption of technologies like rainwater management systems which are crucial in enhancing crop yields and livestock production during periods of water shortage. The overarching objective of this paper was to carry out an assessment of the status, performance, and scope for improving rainwater harvesting (RWH) for small-scale agriculture under local conditions. Accordingly, research gaps in RWH technologies were identified and documented to inform future studies. The research was carried out in the semi-arid areas of Nakasongola, Rakai, and Hoima Districts characterized by crop-livestock dependent livelihoods. Findings show that RWH technologies could enable smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists to become more resilient to increasing climate variability and climate change by conserving soil and water thus increasing food production and enhancing food security. Small-scale irrigation systems have enabled farmers to adapt to drought challenges by enhancing crop yields and allowed farmers to target for higher market prices usually associated with the effects of drought. However, there are challenges including threats to sustainability of such established systems because of lack of community participation in systems’ monitoring and maintenances, and vandalism, and some systems require high investment costs.
Smallholder farmers’ perceived evaluation of agricultural drought adaptation technologies used in Uganda: constraints and opportunities
(Journal of Arid Environments, 2020) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Kiggundu, Nicholas; Nyarwaya, Amos; Muzei, John P.
Many smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas continue to face increasing threats of agricultural drought exacerbated by a rapidly changing climate. This calls for increased understanding of farmers’ drought response experiences and perceptions for better agricultural production. This study assessed the smallholder farmers’ perceived evaluation of drought adaptation technologies, constraints and opportunities in drought prone districts of Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. The evaluation indicators of the technologies included efficiency, effectiveness, equity, acceptability, urgency and institutional compatibility performance measures. The findings show that among the irrigation technologies, drip irrigation systems were the most efficient, effective, acceptable and urgent performance measures (p<0.05). The rainwater harvesting technologies used were perceived to be significant for all the considered performance measures (p<0.05). In the agroforestry category, agrisilviculture and agrosilvopastoral were significant (p>0.05) for the assessed indicators. The significant constraints were unreliable rainfall, high technology operational costs, limited labour and technical support p<0.05). This study reveals that market prices, efficient use of water, improved labour and time saving are important for adoption and use of drought adaptation technologies. This study provides insights for policy and development planning processes geared towards drought risk reduction measures that are either structural or non-structural.

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