An assessment of farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices on drought mitigation

Abstract

The broad objective of the study was to assess farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices on drought mitigation in Butemba town council, Butemba and Ntwetwe sub counties respectively in Kyankwanzi District. The specific objectives were to; to evaluate farmers’ knowledge on drought mitigation, to evaluate farmers’ attitude on drought preparedness and to find out farmers’ practices on drought response in Butemba town council, Butemba and Ntwetwe sub counties respectively. The study was across sectional survey that utilized qualitative data collection. Data collection methods used included the following focus group discussions, household interviews, individual farmer interviews, documentary analysis from district annual report and other secondary sources of data mainly articles on drought related issues. A number of mitigation measures put forward by farmers to ensure they are prepared for drought were identified which included construction of valley dams, selling of animals, growing of resistant crop varieties, pasture management and migration to other areas. In addition, other actors like government and Ngo’s intervention measures were identified for example construction of public valley dams, encouraging value addition through operation wealth creation to boast farmer market prices. The study recommended a number of activities and measures that should be undertaken in order to ensure the protection and prevention of farmers’ crisis during drought in Butemba town council, Ntwetwe and Butemba Sub counties of Kyankwanzi for example adopting to changing technology, practicing irrigation farming, forming co-operatives and establishment of Agricultural Banks with low interest rates.