Climate change and variability are a reality and have had marked effects on both human and ecological systems. Adaptation to such effects either directly or indirectly is viewed as a novel way of reducing the spread of the associated risks. The study was conducted in Rubanda District with a general aim of evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation measures to climate variability used by smallholder Irish potatoes farmers. Specifically, we sought to appraise small-holder Irish potato farmers’ perceptions about the effectiveness of climate variability adaptation measures and implications on Irish potato productivity. We undertook a cross-sectional study to collect data from total of 197 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Other participatory methods such as focus group discussions and key informant interview were also used to complement the household survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23 to generate descriptive statistics as well as relationships between the adaptation measures and the productivity of the Irish potatoes using a Cobb-Douglas production function. The Cobb-Douglas model revealed that the use of fertilizers was significantly and positively associated with productivity of Irish potato (P < 0.001). Furthermore, Smallholder Irish potato farmers perceived the use of technology, terracing, early planting and application of fertilizers as the most effective climate variability adaptation measures. The study recommends that measures that are cost-effective, efficient and coherent should be promoted to offset the impacts of climate variability which would include the adoption of improved potato varieties and use of fertilizers with proper management of erosion. Off-season planting of Irish potatoes in the wetlands should be discouraged by the local
References
[1]
Adger, W. N., Arnell, N. W., & Tompkins, E. L. (2005). Successful Adaptation to Climate Change across Scales. Global Environmental Change, 15, 77-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2004.12.005
[2]
Ampaire, E. L., Jassogne, L., Providence, H., Acosta, M., Twyman, J., Winowiecki, L., & Van Asten, P. (2017). Institutional Challenges to Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study on Policy Action Gaps in Uganda. Environmental Science and Policy, 75, 81-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.05.013
[3]
Asefa, S. (2011). Munich Personal RePEc Archive Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Crop Producing Smallholder Farmers in (No. 40461). Personal Munich Repec Archive. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/40461
[4]
Bagoora, F. K. (2010). Challenges of Climate Change in Mounatin Ecosystems in Africa Kampala. In United Nations Climate Change Conference COP16 and CMP6, Cancun, Mexico (p. 29). Kampala: National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
[5]
Bhanumurthy, K. V. (2002). Arguing a Case for the Cobb-Douglas Production Function. Review of Commerce Studies, 75-91.
[6]
Brooks, N., Anderson, S., Ayers, J., Burton, I., & Tellam, I. (2011). Tracking Adaptation and Measuring Development (No. 1). http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/10031IIED.pdf
[7]
Bryman, A. (2008). Social Research Methods (3rd ed.). London: Oxford University Press.
[8]
Byamukama, W., Bello, N., & Omoniyi, T. (2018). Farmers’ Perception of the Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Food Security in Rubanda District, South Western Uganda. Journal of Environment and Health Science, 4, 64-73.
[9]
Byishimo, P. (2017). Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Crop Yields and Farmers’ Adaptation Measures: A Case of Rwanda. Harare: University of Zimbabwe.
[10]
CDKN (2015). Economic Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change in Uganda. Kampala: Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://www.CDKN.org
[11]
Dharmasiri, L. M. (2009). Measuring Agricultural Productivity Using the Average Productivity Index.
[12]
Fellipe, J., & Adams, G. (2005). “A Theory of Production” The Estimation of the Cobb-Douglas Function: A Retrospective View. Eastern Economic Journal, 31, 427-446.
[13]
Franke, A. C., Haverkot, A. J., & Steyn, J. M. (2015). Climate Change and Potato Production in Contrasting South African Agro-Ecosystems 2. Assessing Risks and Opportunities of Adaptation Strategies. Potato Research, 56, 51-66.
[14]
Gorgess, H. M., & Naby Abdul, A. I. (2012). Using Restricted Least Squares Method to Estimate and Analyse the Cobb-Douglas Production Function with Application. Ibn AL-Haitham Journal of Pure and Applied Science, 25, 359-368.
[15]
Hepworth, N., & Goulden, M. (2008). Climate Change in Uganda: Understanding the Implications and Appraising the Response. Edinburgh: LTS International.
[16]
Hijmans, R. J. (2003). The Effect of Climate Change on Global Potato Production. American Journal of Potato Research, 80, 271-280. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02855363
[17]
Hisali, E., Birungi, P., & Buyinza, F. (2011). Adaptation to Climate Change in Uganda: Evidence from Micro Level Data. Environmental Change, 21, 1245-1261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.07.005
[18]
Kabale District Local Government (KDLG) (2011). Kabale District Local Government Five Year Development Plan, 2011/201-2015/2016 (Vol. 1). Kabale.
[19]
Kabale District Local Government (KDLG) (2015). Kabale District Five Year Development Plan, 2015/2016-2019/2020. Kabale.
[20]
Kaguongo, W., Gildemacher, P., Demo, P., Wagoire, W., Kinyae, P., Andrade, J., Fuglie, K. et al. (2008). Farmer Practices and Adoption of Improved Poatao Varieties in Kenya and Uganda (No. 5). Social Sciences Working Paper 2008-5, Lima.
[21]
Karanja, A. M., Shasanya, C., & Makokha, G. (2014). Analysis of Rainfall Variability on Potato Production in Kenya: A Case of Oljoro-Orok Division. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 2, 447-456.
[22]
Kikoyo, D. A., & Nobert, J. (2015). Assessment of Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies on Maize Production in Uganda. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 93, 37-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2015.09.005
[23]
Kotulič, R., & Pavelková, J. (2014). The Application of the Cobb-Douglas Production Function in Analyzing the Effectiveness of Productive Resources in Agricultural Enterprises of Primary Production. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 15, 284-301. https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/15.3.1489
[24]
MAAIF (2010). Agriculture Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan, 2010/11-2014/15.
[25]
Mbowa, S., & Mwesigye, F. (2016). Investment Opportunities and Challenges in the Irish Potato Value Chain in Uganda. Kampala: EPRC.
[26]
McCambell, I. (2015). Fertilizer Adoption Challenges among Potato Farmers in Uganda: Analysis of a Complex Problem Using an Innovation Systems. Wageningen: Wageningen Univeristy.
[27]
Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development (2013). The Uganda National Land Policy. Kampala.
[28]
Mugagga, F., Elepu, J., Nimusiima, A., & Bamutaze, Y. (2019). Institutional Determinants to Climate Variability Adaptation by Smallholder Irish Potato Farmers in Rubanda District, South Western Uganda. American Jouranal of Climate Change, 8, 77-93. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2019.81005
[29]
Muhumuza, M., Muzinduki, P., & Hyeroba, G. (2010). Small Holder Farmers’ Knowledge and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Rwenzori Region. Rwenzori Journal, 1, 117-133.
[30]
NAPA (2007). Ugnada National Adaptation Programmes of Action. Kampala.
[31]
Prasad, T., & Wagle, S. (2016). Spatial Analysis of Cob-Douglas Production Function in Agriculture Sector of Nepal: An Empirical Analysis. Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 3, 101-114. https://doi.org/10.3126/jaar.v3i2.16759
[32]
Regmi, B. R., Sthrestha, K., Sapkata, R., & Pathak, K. (2018). What Constitutes Successful Adaptation Measures? Reflections from the National and Local Context of Nepal (No. 17). Kathmandu: HI-AWARE.
[33]
Twagiramaria, F., & Tolo, C. U. (2016). Climate Variability and Soil Nutrients Status along Altitudinal Gradient in Kigezi Highlands, Southwestern Uganda. Natural Resources, 7, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2016.71001
[34]
UBOS (2010). Uganda Census of Agriculture, 2008/2009. Kampala.
[35]
UBOS (2016). The National Population and Housing Cencus 2014. Kampala.
[36]
UBOS (2017). Uganda Bureau of Statistics 2017 Statistical Abstract. Kampala.
[37]
Uganda National Seed Potato Producers Association (UNSPPA) (2018). Potato Week (7th Ed.). Amhem.
[38]
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (2nd ed.). New York: Harper and Row.
[39]
Zizinga, A., Tenywa, M. M., Majaliwa, J. G. M., Mugarura, M., & Ababo, P. (2015). Potential Climate Change Adaptation and Coping Practices for Agricultural Productivity in the Mountain Areas of South Western Uganda. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 7, 23-41. https://doi.org/10.9734/JSRR/2015/16351
