"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme climate change".
Climate change adaptation strategies among agricultural communities in Uganda: The case of Kabale and Nakasongla districts
Abstract:
Climate change affects the ability of developing countries to
achieve their poverty reduction and sustainable development
strategies. Uganda was labeled among the most vulnerable
countries to climate change risks. Rural farmers who depend
on rain-fed agriculture are likely to bear the brunt of adverse
impacts. The extent to which these impacts are felt depends
largely on the extent of adaption response. This study examined
farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change
and variability. Information was obtained through household
survey data. Preliminary results show that many farmers
(81.1%) noticed changes in climate; though 62% did nothing.
The lowlands were mainly affected by climate change and
variability shocks, mainly drought (89.8%). Climatic shocks led
to decline in crop yields (39.2%), loss of income (35.1%) and
increased incidence of malaria (60%). While most farmers did
not take any remedial action against climate change, others
changed livestock and crop variety, while others increased
land under production or changed crop types.
Le changement de climat affecte la capacité des pays en voie
de développement de réaliser leurs stratégies de réduction de
pauvreté et de développement durable. L’Ouganda a été
enregistré parmi les pays les plus vulnérables aux risques de
changement climatique. Les fermiers ruraux qui dépendent de
l’agriculture en temps de pluie sont susceptibles de soutenir le
choc des impacts défavorables. Le point auquel ces impacts
sont sentis dépend en grande partie de l’ampleur de la réponse
d’adaptation. Cette étude a examiné les perceptions des fermiers
et les stratégies d’adaptation au changement et à la variabilité
du climat. L’information a été obtenue par des données
d’enquête effectuée dans les ménages. Les résultats préliminaires prouvent que beaucoup de fermiers (81.1%) ont
observé des changements du climat; bien que 62% n’aient rien
fait. Les terres basses ont été principalement affectées par des
chocs de changement et de variabilité de climat, principalement
la sécheresse (89.8%). Les chocs climatiques ont mené à la
diminution du rendement agricole (39.2%), la perte de revenu
(35.1%) et ont augmenté l’incidence de la malaria (60%). Tandis
que la plupart des fermiers ne prenaient aucune mesure
réparatrice contre le changement climatique, certains ont
changée la variété de bétail et de récolte tandis que d’autres
ont accru les espaces de terre sous la production ou ont changé
les types de récolte.
Language:
English
Date of publication:
2010
Country:
Region Focus:
East Africa
University/affiliation:
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
Extent:
81-85
Notes: