School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS)http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/472024-03-29T16:25:38Z2024-03-29T16:25:38ZAccess to and use of meteorological information by smallholder farmers in Rwanyamahembe subcountyKeinembabazi, Daisyhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/120312023-02-12T16:16:37Z2022-04-30T00:00:00ZAccess to and use of meteorological information by smallholder farmers in Rwanyamahembe subcounty
Keinembabazi, Daisy
Weather and climate variability are the major production risks and uncertainties impacting agricultural systems performance and management. This study investigated the access and factors that influence the utility of meteorological information by smallholder farmers in Rwanyamahembe subcounty, Mbarara District. A random sampling procedure was carried out in three villages in Rwanyamahembe sub county and a sample size of 77 farmers was used. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit responses from farmers and data was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Results indicated that more than 93% of the farmers could not access agro meteorological information from a weather station. Lack of awareness about the existence of a weather station (90%) cited as a major factor affecting farmers access to weather forecasts. Most of the farmers revealed they owned radios (56%) which makes it the best to deliver weather information. Other farmers revealed that they use their traditional knowledge and experience to predict weather changes. More than (58%) respondents do not use weather information to make decisions. The factors affecting farmers' utility of agro_meteorological information were related to the inaccuracy of forecasts, inadequate weather forecasts information for meaningful decisions and less understanding of weather information especially bulletins that are always broadcasted in English which is hard to be understood. It was concluded that socio_economic factors affect the level of adoption of agro meteorological information. The study emphasizes the need for meteorological station to broadcast weather forecasts at an appropriate and convenient time for farmers and translated into the local language,Runyankole which people can easily read and understand to increase the usability of the information and the use of feasible demonstrations to enhance the adoption of agro_meteorological products
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Environmental Management in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Degree of Bachelors of Environmental Science, Makerere University
2022-04-30T00:00:00ZAccess to and use of metrological information by farmers in Mbarara districtTurinawe, Gifthttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/90192021-02-25T12:48:57Z2021-02-01T00:00:00ZAccess to and use of metrological information by farmers in Mbarara district
Turinawe, Gift
This study aimed at assessing the access and use of meteorological information by farmers in Mbarara district. The study was carried out in four randomly selected villages in Mbarara district Rugando sub-county and a sample size of 110 respondents was used. The study employed a survey research approach which used a combination of methods to collect quantitative data. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and interview guide and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Most of the farmers interviewed had accessed weather information. Most of the farmers revealed that they usually get information from the radio (90%) and a few of them from televisions, newspapers, extension workers and fellow farmers. Other farmers also revealed that they use their traditional knowledge and experience to predict weather changes. However, the results from the study revealed that most of the local farmers do not use weather information in their decision making. This was attributed to two major constraints which included poor timing of weather forecasts and less understanding of weather information especially bulletins that are always broadcasted in English which is hard to be understood by local people. It is therefore recommended that management of the meteorological station should make sure that forecasts are broadcast at an appropriate and convenient time for farmers and translated into the local language, Runyankore, which people can easily read and understand to increase the usability of the information.
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Environmental Management in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Degree of Bachelors of Environmental Science, Makerere University
2021-02-01T00:00:00ZAccessibility to drinkable water and its implications on the rural community health and wellbeingNdungo, Benjaminhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/154192023-02-05T04:27:55Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZAccessibility to drinkable water and its implications on the rural community health and wellbeing
Ndungo, Benjamin
In majority of Uganda’s villages, people are faced with drinkable water related problems which have left most communities in fear of acquiring water related infections and hindering sustainable development. The world health organization (WHO) estimates that 411 million people lack access to drinkable water worldwide. The water accessibility in rural areas according to the ministry of water and environment is estimated at 67%. This study will examine the accessibility to drinkable water and its implications to rural community health and wellbeing in Kitholhu subcounty, Kasese district, western Uganda. The objectives were to identify the different sources of water in the community, find out the mechanisms and methods used by rural people to treat water and also understand the practices used by rural communities to protect and preserve water sources. The study employed a researcher administered questionnaire and observation and the results of the study were analyzed using SPSS. The research found out that drinkable water accessibility in the study area is still a great concern with majority of the population using water from wells and streams as the main source of water. Wells and streams were the most dominant sources of water, also a few taps were observed although the community complained of the unreliability of the taps. The safety of water from wells and streams is not a guarantee yet the majority of the community did not employ any treatment methods before using the water. The community linked the water problems to limited funds, illiteracy and ignorance among others. To solve the problems, the research recommended massive sensitization and community involvement, planning at both district and subcounty level to allocate funds to construct taps, boreholes, and underground tanks to improve accessibility to safe water.
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Environmental Management in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Degree of Bachelors of Environmental Science, Makerere University
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZAdaptations to climate change and variability by subsistence farmers in Mukoto Subcounty, Namisindwa district, Eastern UgandaMasongole, Ronaldhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/123172022-05-10T13:15:33Z2022-02-22T00:00:00ZAdaptations to climate change and variability by subsistence farmers in Mukoto Subcounty, Namisindwa district, Eastern Uganda
Masongole, Ronald
The agricultural sector is the major source of livelihood to rural communities in Uganda but it is currently faced by climate change as a major challenge.
The study investigated the adaptations to climate change and variability by subsistence farmers in Mukoto Sub County and its main aim was to generate information that will promote climate change adaptation strategies that will enhance resilient, productive and sustainable agricultural systems. The study had three specific objectives’ which were; (i) To identify the effects of drought and flooding on the farmers of Mukoto Sub county, (ii) To assess the present agricultural practices being used by local farmers to adapt against drought and flooding and hailstorms. (iii)To establish the factors that influence small holder farmers’ adaptation decisions.
Data will be collected through focus group discussions and a household survey using structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed from 56 respondents from randomly selected households in purposefully selected parishes of Mukoto Sub County. The data was analyzed using multiple regression models because of its multiple response nature. The results indicated reduced yields (87.3%) and outbreak of pests (81.8%) as the most felt effect of flooding and drought in the Sub County respectively, application of foliar fertilizers (81%) and agroforestry (78%) as the most agricultural practice used by farmers to adapt against drought and flooding in the Sub County exchange of information between farmers as the most factor which influences farmers adaptation choices.
According to the information from focus group interviews, prolonged and periodic Elinino rains cause flooding in people’s gardens, roads and even homes. This brings destruction to crops and peoples properties leaving them poor and food insecure. Droughts cause crop failures especially vegetables which are very sensitive to temperature changes like onions.
In Mukoto Sub County Namisindwa district, climate change is a pressing problem, which is beyond the capacity of smallholders to respond to autonomously. Farmers’ capacity to choose effective adaptation options is influenced by household demography, as well access to information from local leaders, use of indigenous knowledge, information from fellow farmers ,training by extension workers, education programs on radios and information from research institutions. This implies the need to support the indigenous adaptation strategies of the smallholder farmers with a wide range of institutional, policy, and technology support; some of it targeted on smaller, poorer or female-headed households. Moreover, creating opportunities for non-farm income sources is important as this helps farmers to engage in those activities that are less sensitive to climate change.
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Forestry of Makerere University
2022-02-22T00:00:00Z