Climate trends, risks and coping strategies in smallholder farming systems in Uganda
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Climate Risk Management
Abstract
Smallholder farmers in Uganda face a wide range of agricultural production risks.
Climate change and variability present new risks and vulnerabilities. Climate related risks such
as prolonged dry seasons are becoming more frequent and intense with negative impacts on
agricultural livelihoods and food security. This paper examines farmers’ perceptions of climate
change, climate-related risks affecting crop and livestock production, including climate-risk
management and adaptation strategies. Drought, increasing disease and pest incidences,
decreasing water sources, lack of pasture, bush fires, hailstorms, changes in crop flowering and
fruiting times were the major climate-related risks reported. In order to cope with climate change
and climate variability, farmers use a wide range of agricultural technologies and strategies.
Mulching, intercropping and planting of food security crops were among the most commonly
used practices. Other strategies included water harvesting (mainly for domestic consumption),
other soil and water conservation technologies and on-farm diversification. Farmers often use a
combination of these technologies and practices to enhance agricultural productivity. Average
maximum temperatures increased across the two sites. Trends in average annual rainfall showed
mixed results, where a general decline was observed in one district and a relatively stable trend
in the other district. Perceived changes in climate included erratic rainfall onset and cessation
(which were either early or late), poor seasonal distribution of rainfall and little rainfall. In
addition, farmers reported variations in temperatures. Farmers’ perception of changing rainfall characteristics and increasing temperatures were consistent with observed historical climatic
trends based on meteorological data.
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Climate risks, Livelihoods, Vulnerabilities, Coping strategies, Uganda
Citation
D.N. Mubiru, M. Radeny, F.B. Kyazze, A. Zziwa, J. Lwasa, J. Kinyangi, C. Mungai, Climate trends, risks and coping strategies in smallholder farming systems in Uganda, Climate Risk Management (2018), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2018.08.004