Climate change and sugarcane productivity in Uganda :

Abstract

There is an increasing demand for sugar both on the national and international market which implies expansion of more land for sugar cane production. to meet this increasing demand. The allocation of more land to sugar cane growing upshots into a reduction of land allocated for food crops like banana and this results in food insecurity as farmers are confronted with the problem of optimal allocation of farm resources. Considering the effects that may arise from climate change on sugarcane production, the study aimed at promoting sugar cane growing promote sugar Cane production, food security and household income with the changing climate. In order to be able to achieve this goal, the. study employed both the bio physical evaluation methods to identify areas that can support sugarcane growing with changing climate and economic valuation so as to identify the optimal allocation of resources that ensure sugar cane farmers are food security and maximize the net returns to increase their household incomes. From the study results show that there are more areas that suitable for sugarcane growing with minimum conflict to land use due to low population densities. Additional it was also revealed that in order to solve the problem of food insecurity and ensure steady household incomes, a farmer should produce 1 unit of sugarcane and 1 unit of bananas using 1 hectare for Sugarcane and 2 hectares for banana growing while fully utilizing the resources. From observation made in the study it is recommended that new areas identified as suitable for sugarcane. production require addition of application of fertilizers and irrigation in order to get high yields which will increase household income and for any farmer to decide to undertake sugar cane farming he should have a minimum of 3 hectares. Keywords: Suitability, Optimal Crop Combination, Food