An Appraisal of Adaptation Measures to Climate Variability by Smallholder Irish Potato Farmers in South Western Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Journal of Climate Change
Abstract
Climate change and variability are a reality and have had marked effects on
both human and ecological systems. Adaptation to such effects either directly
or indirectly is viewed as a novel way of reducing the spread of the associated
risks. The study was conducted in Rubanda District with a general aim of
evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation measures to climate variability used
by smallholder Irish potatoes farmers. Specifically, we sought to appraise smallholder
Irish potato farmers’ perceptions about the effectiveness of climate variability
adaptation measures and implications on Irish potato productivity.
We undertook a cross-sectional study to collect data from total of 197 farmers
using a structured questionnaire. Other participatory methods such as focus
group discussions and key informant interview were also used to complement
the household survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23 to generate
descriptive statistics as well as relationships between the adaptation measures
and the productivity of the Irish potatoes using a Cobb-Douglas production
function. The Cobb-Douglas model revealed that the use of fertilizers was
significantly and positively associated with productivity of Irish potato (P <
0.001). Furthermore, Smallholder Irish potato farmers perceived the use of
technology, terracing, early planting and application of fertilizers as the most
effective climate variability adaptation measures. The study recommends that
measures that are cost-effective, efficient and coherent should be promoted to
offset the impacts of climate variability which would include the adoption of
improved potato varieties and use of fertilizers with proper management of
erosion. Off-season planting of Irish potatoes in the wetlands should be discouraged
by the local administration and the National Environment Management
Authority. This calls for a collective action involving the agricultural
practitioners and inline civil society organizations to ensure that farmers have
access to such inputs.
Description
Keywords
Adaptation Measures, Climate Variability, Efficacy, Irish Potato Farmers, South Western Uganda
Citation
Mugagga, F., Nimusiima, A., & Elepu, J. (2020). An Appraisal of Adaptation Measures to Climate Variability by Smallholder Irish Potato Farmers in South Western Uganda. American Journal of Climate Change, 9, 228-242. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2020.93015