| dc.description.abstract | Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the current century. Agroforestry has been used as a strategy to manage effects of climate change in Africa. This study was aimed at examining the role of agroforestry practices in enhancing farmer’s resilience to the effects of climate change in Kyabigambire sub-county, Hoima district. Specifically, the study assessed farmers’ perceptions of climate change, its effects and adaptation in Kyabigambire sub county, evaluated the existing agroforestry practices and most preferred tree species and assessed farmers’ knowledge on agroforestry practices as a strategy to reduce climate change impacts. A descriptive research design using questionnaires to collect relevant data was used. 100 respondents were randomly selected from four parishes. The study found that farmers recognized changes in climate over the past 30 years. They expressed various changes such as increased rains, drought, strong winds and hailstorms, erratic rainfall among others. The changes had various effects like reduced yields, crop failure emergence of pests and diseases, death of animals. Farmers practiced different interventions to reduce the impacts caused by climate change and the most common adaptation strategy was crop diversification. Four agroforestry practices notably; home gardens, on-farm tree interplanting, boundary planting and woodlots were identified. The most preferred tree species were mostly fruit trees. Generally, farmers agreed that agroforestry improves crop and livestock productivity, reduces soil erosion, increases farmer’s income and ensures fuel wood management. Farmers also agreed that agroforestry practices were important in managing changes of climate through provision of food, fruits, fodder, shade, dung, rainfall attraction among others. It is concluded that agroforestry plays a role in increasing resilience of farmers to climate change. However, the study recommends that farmers should retain and plant more indigenous trees on crop lands and also encourage and supported knowledge sharing. In addition, the government should help farmers with planting materials; provide weather information and alternative energy sources. | en_US |
