Drought Stress and Adaptation Strategies in Kumi and Amuria Districts of Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated smallholder farmers’ drought adaptation strategies in 246 randomly selected households in Kumi and Amuria districts of Teso sub region of Uganda. Primary and secondary data were collected, the former through individual interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interview and the latter through document review. The results revealed that drought stress was above -4 kilo pascal within the period 2006–2016. The adaptation strategies appliedincluded cultivation of food crops that can be preserved and offering of labour on other people’s farms as a survival strategy. Promotion of early warning mechanisms; easy access to farm inputs; group formation and consolidation; and affordable irrigation technology are recommended to enhance farmers’ resilience