Analysis of the implications of disasters on food security in, Bududa district on the slopes of Mt. Elgon

Abstract

In Uganda, the rate of disaster increases and food security decline is alarming yet food is known to play an important role in the livelihoods of many people in the country. This survey conducted from Bududa district in eastern Uganda in Bulucheke and Bushika sub counties, analyzed the implications of disasters on food security in Bududa district on the slopes of Mt Elgon one of the major areas affected by disasters on food security. A cross sectional research was undertaken using a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative methods) where simple random sampling was employed in selection of the households. Data was collected through field surveys, interviews and direct field observations; and then analyzed using thematic content analysis where descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies) were generated in Microsoft excel spread sheets and then presented inform of tables, pie charts and bar graphs. A sample of 150 participants was randomly selected from two sub counties (Bulucheke and Bushika) with two Parishes from sub county (Bumayemba, Bumasata and Bufutsa, Bunabutiti respectively) with eight villages; four from each parish (Natotowa, Makunda, Napokolo, Lukhuna, Naposhi, Bukitongo, Bubore East and Bungolo villages) to participate in the study. They were interviewed on their views towards the disasters affecting food security, the causes of the disasters on food security and the implications of disasters on food security. Results showed that the major disasters affecting food security are landslides, floods food shortage, pests and diseases, windstorm, rainstorms, water shortage, locust invasion and drought. On the causes of disasters affecting food security, the major causes established were heavy rainfall, human activities, temperature increase and decrease, the study showed that the major implications of disasters on food security are displacement, death of people, transport infrastructure destruction, destruction of shelter, injury of people, constrained access of crop fields, reduced water quality, death of animals, soil erosion, crop failure, loss of soil fertility, loss of income, pests and diseases, poor animal quality, loss of jobs, shortage of pasture and water stress. The study therefore established that planting of more vegetation and trees around the crop lands to the speed of flooding waters into crop farms, improving on information base about disaster occurrences, maintaining land use planning, provision of fertilizers by government to improve on soil fertility, Increase investments in research and education and extensions, trainings of local communities about better methods of farming. Further research on the various causes of disasters with their impacts on food security in all the disaster hotspots within the Mt Elgon areas should as well be conducted to reduce the disasters affecting food security.