Climate variability adaptation strategies and livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala District Uganda

Abstract

Adaptation is no longer optional for farmers given the hostile effects climate variability poses on livelihood. However, adaptation strategies employed vary across locations and categories of farmers. This study investigated the effect of adaptation strategies on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district, Uganda. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of technological development adaptation strategies on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district, determine the effect of government agricultural support programs on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district, assess the effect of farm level adaptation strategies on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district, and to establish the effect of farm financial management adaptation strategies on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district. The study was anchored on pragmatism research paradigm and was grounded in three main theories: diffusion of innovations theory; action theory of adaptation and sustainable livelihood theory. The study adopted an explanatory sequential research design. A mixed research approach was used. The target population included 1083 smallholder vegetable farmers in Kampala district, from which a sample of 292 respondents was selected using stratified simple random sampling technique. The study also targeted 10 key informants that included the 5 officials of the Directorate of gender, community services and production and 5 NAADS officials who were selected purposively. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for this study. Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and later analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. While qualitative data was gathered using interview schedules and observation guides and later subjected to content analysis. Validity was determined by consulting experts. Reliability was determined through pilot study in Entebbe municipality, Wakiso District and a reliability value of 0.800 was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Basing on multiple regression model r 2 was 0.775 showing that 77.5% of the variation in livelihood of smallholder farmers can be explained by climate variability adaptation strategies. Technological development adaptation strategies (β 1 =0.357, p=0.000) had a significant effect on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers; government agricultural support programs (β 2 = -0.037, p>0.05) did not have a significant effect on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers; farm level production adaptation strategies (β 3 =0.557 and p=0.000) had a significant effect on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers and farm financial management adaptation strategies (β 2 = 0.082 and p>0.05) did not have a significant effect on livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers. Qualitative findings revealed that smallholder farmers sold-off household assets such as crop harvests, livestock like pigs, chicken and goats in order to generate income to purchase farm adaptation requirements, that Covid-19 rendered financial management skills and training important to farmers more than ever before. The study concludes that some adaptation strategies enhanced livelihood while others did not, smallholder farmers diversified adaptation strategies and that adaptation strategies were interrelated. The study recommends that KCCA promotes adaptation strategies as a package for smallholder farmers; strengthening of government agricultural support and financial management adaptation strategies and consolidation of public-private partnerships in addressing hindrances to adaptation by smallholder farmers in Kampala district. Further research should be carried out on climate variability adaptation strategies and livelihood of smallholder urban livestock farmers.