The impact of climate change on farmer’s livelihood in Gomba district

Abstract

The Research dealt with the impact of climate change on the livelihood of farmers in Gomba District of Uganda. This research based its analysis on examining farmer’s livelihoods, impact of climate change on farmer’s livelihoods, possible interventions for mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change on farmer’s livelihoods in Maddu Sub County. It analyzed the strategies that are locally used by the community to adapt to climate change and vulnebility, people’s perspective on climate change. Data collection for this study involved interviews with household heads using questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informants’ interview using checklist questions. Secondary data was obtained from published and unpublished documents. Quantitative data was analyzed using pie charts, frequency distribution tables, The study found out that there is a high rate of climate change taking place in the area as evidenced with rampant droughts, famine and floods. This is likely to affect farmer’s incomes due to reduced farm outputs as a result of diseases, reduced rains and increased temperatures. These findings could be used by different stakeholders like government and development agencies in planning and addressing the issue of climate change in Maddu Sub County and Gomba at large. In conclusion, there are different ways through which people earn a living in Maddu Sub County and different ways through which people have adapted to climate change that is to say planting of grass and fast growing crops, there is also lack of coordination between national, district and community levels due to limited technical capacity, finances and willingness of the masses to adapt to climate change. I therefore recommend government and other development agencies to embark on creating awareness among the masses on the other ways of adapting and mitigating climate change and also enhance linkages between levels and actors has this will help improve the livelihood of farmers in Maddu Sub County.