Adaptation to climate change amongst small holder crop farmers in Wanale sub county – Mbale district

Abstract

Adaptation to climate change is a prerequisite for agricultural production to be a reliable source of livelihoods. This study examined the influence of climate change on crop-based livelihood activities and the adaptation practices among small holder farmers in Wanale Sub county, Mbale district. A cross sectional survey using a closed structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 331 respondents. Using the Weighted average index, crop growing livestock keeping and farm labor were the most important livelihood activities. A PCA on the results revealed three major livelihood typologies thus Cluster (PC1) categorized as on farm, off farm and non-farm livelihood typology explained 30.38% of the households. Cluster (PC2) labeled as the on farm and non-farm livelihoods typology accounted for 16.54% of the households while cluster (PC3) explained 12.98% of the households and was categorized as the non-farm livelihoods typology. Crops considered important for livelihood support were bananas, beans, coffee and onions. The main influence of climate change on crop livelihoods pointed to increased pest and disease prevalence (78.1%), premature ripening of fruits (66.7%), increased post-harvest losses (55.9%), food scarcity (55.3%) and reduced crop yields (55%). Application of PCA generated three impact clusters thus cluster (PC1) labeled influence of climate change on crops for consumption and sale accounted for 20.02% of the households. Cluster (PC2) named influence on food availability explained 15.1% of the households and cluster (CP3) classified as influence on crops for sale explained 11.9% of the households. The main adaptation measures practiced were soil and water conservation (98.2%), mixed cropping (67.3%) agroforestry (51.7%) and fertilizer and chemical application (51.1%). A PCA on the results generated five adaptation typologies thus cluster (PC1) named crop water management practices explained 18.6% of the households. Cluster (PC2) labeled sustainable farming practices explained 15.1% of the households. Cluster (CP3) named as technological improvements explained 13.4% of the households. Cluster (CP4) labeled sustainable crop management explained 11.2% of the households then Cluster (CP5) categorized soil and water conservation explained 10.8% of the households. Climate adaptation typologies generated can be used to guide interventions aimed at increasing the adaptive capacity of the smallholder farmers in Wanale Sub county