Assessing the effectiveness of climate change adaptation interventions by Agro-pastoralists in Nabiswera sub-county

Abstract

Farmers’ adaptation to climate change is still low and this leaves them vulnerable to hunger and poverty during harsh climatic conditions. This study aimed at increasing adaptation by Agro-pastoralists in Nabiswera sub-county to climate change and was achieved through the following objectives; 1) determining the farmers’ perception on climate shocks and their effects to Agro-pastoralists communities in Nabiswera Sub-county, 2) determining the effectiveness of climate change adaptation interventions by the Agro-pastoralists in Nabiswera Sub-county. The study was conducted in Nabiswera sub-county, Nakasongola district using a structured questionnaire on 43 farmers who were purposely selected to include only those that had stayed in the area for over 20 years who could give viable data about the climate change in their communities. The results of the study showed that all farmers (100%) were aware of the changes in the climate and had experienced the effects and hardships associated with these changes. There has been a decrease in the amount of rains received annually, with the most decrease happening in the 1st rainy season between March to May with a percentage of 100% decrease as reported by farmers interviewed in the sub-county. This decrease has been reported to have started happening in the previous two years for example, from late 2020 to early 2022. The dry season temperatures have been observed to increase as reported about by all farmers (100%) as the intensity of wind in the dry season increases where 60.5% farmers reported about this, and it was due to increased drought season that was observed by most households interviewed in the sub-county. The percentage of farmers who have reported the increase in drought frequencies were (90.7%) which was the biggest hindrance to their agricultural production in the area. Some of the major impacts climate change has had on farmers were failure of the annual and perennial crops, low and/or no crop yields at all, outbreak of pests and diseases, termites surge and destruction of both pastures and crops. The analysis showed that the most effective adaptation measures for crops that were used by farmers to overcome harsh climatic conditions were; planting drought resistant crops with the mean rank of 4.75 followed by the early planting with the mean rank of 4.00 and the least effective being shifting from crops to livestock with the mean value of 2.86 whereas the adaptation measures used by the livestock farmers were; stocking rate control with the mean value of 4.05 as the most effective followed by fencing off grazing fields with the mean rank of 3.94 and the least effective measure was planting drought tolerant pastures with mean rank of 2.00. The most effective adaptation measures for soil and water conservation were through the use of fertilizers with the mean rank of 5.00 followed by the use of manures with the mean value of 4.31 and the least effective measure was water harvesting with the mean value of 3.50. Due to less knowledge coverage for the improved and proven climate adaptation measures in the community, famers need to be trained and sensitized on the better approaches to climate adaption measures through their trusted model farmers in cooperation with the government extension workers who are able to train the farmers step by step adaptation procedures until a certain set goal is achieved.