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
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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.
