Effect of climate change on small-holder farmers’ livelihoods in Manafwa district, Uganda

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of climate change on smallholder farmers in Manafwa District of Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the community awareness and knowledge about climate change; the indicators, causes, effects, adaptation and mitigation measures employed and the challenges encountered by small holder farmers in response to climate 14 change impacts. A survey of 398 households, two FGDs and six key informant interviews were conducted. Survey data was analyzed with help of Stata version 16 whereas qualitative data was analyzed by way of manual coding. Climate-related hazards such as floods, landslides, prolonged droughts, too much rains, hailstorm presence, wind storm presence and temperature extremes were identified as major indicators of changing climate conditions. The study revealed that climate change affects smallholder farmers in a number of ways, including; destruction of crops, reduced soil fertility, increased crop pest and disease incidences, among others. Farmers adopted various adaptation practices and measures, including mulching, terracing, and diversifying crop types to improve resilience to climate impacts. The major issues hindering climate change adaptation were; the high cost of the available climate change adaptation mechanisms coupled with the high poverty levels among the small holder farmers. The study recommends increasing farmer education and awareness through, sensitization, community training programs, design and implementation of development programs that provide alternative livelihood sources for the small holder farmers were recommended to effectively manage and reduce climate change impacts.