Determination of Coping Strategy of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Change in Mucwini Sub County, Kitgum District

Abstract

This study was on determination of the coping strategy of smallholder farmers to climate change. The specific objectives of the study were to; investigate the effect of drought and its coping strategies, explore the effect of flood and how the smallholder farmers coped up with them and assess the effect of famine and how the smallholder farmers coped up with them. The study showed that (80.4%) of the smallholder farmers experienced the effect of drought and they coped by reduction in food consumption(r = 0.763) and sales of productive assets such as lands animals (0.769). The study also indicated that (80.6%) of the smallholder farmers experienced drought in the last ten years and they coped by reduction in food consumption and sales of productive assets such as lands animals, relocation to safer areas etc. as per the key informants guides and interview reports of focus group discussions. The smallholder farmers coped up with famine by reduction in food consumption(r = 0.85) and sales of productive assets such as lands animals (0.76). The study recommended for a project for soil water conservation and management for the smallholder farmers so that water for production is available at all time. As a source of additional earning, the smallholder farmers should consider renting out their land instead of selling it out. The area Extension officers should disseminate timely local climatic conditions to the smallholder farmers for timely course of actions by the relevant stakeholders. The researchers should avail more planting and stocking materials which are flood tolerant