AfrII Research Exposes Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture in Uganda
Nancy Nandudu
Dr. Jennifer Olson (Michigan State University) presenting research on trends in climate change
On the 7th October 2014, Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII) in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) hosted stakeholders from Uganda’s agricultural sector to a dissemination workshop aimed at broaching discussions on possible policy interventions to curb the negative impacts of climate change on the arid and semi-arid areas of Uganda. The workshop, which was convened under the theme “Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture in Uganda” brought together key stakeholders from the relevant Government ministries, parastatal bodies, development partners and natural resources based NGOs in Uganda.
Scientists from AfrII and MSU shared results of 10 years of research on the impact of climate change on food security, community health and the effectiveness of adaptation strategies and practices in the semi-arid and arid areas of the country.
Key among the results was the gradual rise in temperature, and preceding decrease in rainfall around Uganda as a result of climate change. Although evidence also indicated an increase in the frequency & magnitude of heavy rainfall in some areas, the high temperatures have overtime caused interruptions in farming periods. This has negatively affected the quality of crop yields and increased the incidence of pests and disease.
More so, the results showed that variances in climate across the nation have resulted in drastic changes in land use patterns in arid areas. With crop agriculturists engaging in livestock farming and food production on a decreasing trend due to drought and reduced land sizes, communities in affected areas have been left to seek new coping mechanisms along the way. According to a respondent in Nakasongola district, “Unlike in the past 10 years or so, we cannot tell exactly when the rains are coming. Even when it rains, the rain is not well distributed…..It can rain in one village in the parish while others remain dry. And the rain is no longer enough. We now receive low amounts yet it used to be heavy in the past.”
As the effects of climate change reflected in the research papers showed a negative impact on the socio-economic status and general livelihood of communities dependent on agriculture in semi-arid to arid areas of Uganda, stakeholders at all levels of planning at the workshop agreed on the need for direct advocacy initiatives to address the challenges outlined.
Simon Byenek Ogwal (Project Manager, Climate Change) facilitating a group discussion
AfrII therefore calls upon its partners and all other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in building national action to alleviate the negative impact of climate change in the following ways:
The government of Uganda should develop and strengthen the policy environment in regard to natural resources management, as well as participate in the strengthening of a ‘Climate Change Actors’ Forum’ to facilitate regular and consistent information sharing in regard to the steps for mitigating the impact of climate change on farming communities in Uganda.
Development partners and NGOs in the agricultural sector should strengthen alliances and research interventions aimed at increasing the availability of science based evidence to support decisions on climate change, and promoting innovative solutions to the adverse effects of climate change in animal feeding, disease control and agricultural production systems for most affected areas of Uganda.
Ugandan citizens, especially farmers should adopt a culture of application of climate smart agricultural production systems aimed at increasing their yields and incomes with limited to no destructive effects on the environment.