| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to examine the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the people in Soroti
District with the aim of improving the understanding of climate change and of measures to
enhance adaptation and reduce vulnerability of the people in the district. The overall
objective of this study was to assess the vulnerabilities, impacts and adaptation strategies of
households in Soroti District. Household survey, key informant interviews and focused group
discussions were used to obtain data on climate change and variability impacts, vulnerability
and adaptation strategies. Temperature and rainfall data from Soroti meteorological station
was also used to determine climate variability and change. All the quantitative data were
entered in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 16 and Microsoft-Excel 2007
program and results were then represented in the form of tables, graphs, and charts. The
temperature and Rainfall analysis shows that climate in the area has been changing in the
recent past. People’s perception confirmed these scenarios along with increased floods,
drought and incidences of pests and diseases. This could have serious implications on
agriculture which is the major source of livelihood within the district. For instance the delay
of the 2013 March – April – May (MAM) rainfall onset and extended dry spell in between
the season led to serious crop failure and subsequent poor harvest. Other major impacts of
climate change and variability on livelihoods include, lack of animal feeds, low fish catches,
decreased water availability and decline in soil fertility.
Although, the entire district is vulnerable to the impact of climate change and variability,
vulnerability is heightened on the poor, women, children and the less educated. The residents
have however adopted certain coping and adaptation strategies to deal with the climate
change impacts. The current coping strategies includes sale of household assets, wage labour,
petty trading and reduction of consumption levels. Adaptation strategies include planting
different crops, diversifying crops, shifting planting dates, off farm jobs and diversifying
from farm to non – farm activities. However, these strategies are not sufficient due to
overarching stressors such as overdependence on rainfed agriculture, poverty, lack of
information and lack of technology among others. To improve resilience and enhance
adaptation to climate change and variability, there is an urgent need to alleviate poverty and
unemployment within the district by enhancing the micro-financing efficiency and creating
employment opportunities for the locals. There is also a need for the involvement of the
relevant institutions on early warning and robust contingency planning. Local knowledge
integration in climate policies can also improve adaptation and enhance resilience. | en_US |
