Ugandans have been hit by unexpected extreme weather events characterised by prolonged dry spells, which caused sudden harm, property damage and losses to communities, notably with crops withering in gardens.
In parts of Karamoja and Acholi sub-regions, deaths were reported due to acute hunger caused by crop damage.
There is a starkly different picture, as previously consistent rainfall ensured that many parts of the country were covered in lush vegetation, while rivers, wells and valley dams provided water for communities and livestock.
The prolonged dry conditions have left water sources depleted, crops wilting and livestock struggling for food and water.
Weather expert Mr George William Omony, the Ministry of Water and Environment’s Principal Meteorologist, says the extreme temperatures could persist until the end of September, when heavier rains may begin.
But to overcome such climatic shock and maintain constant production and supply of food, experts have weighed in, advising farmers to shift to indigenous seeds, which they say are resistant to harsh climate, especially sunshine.
Gulu University’s Dean of Agriculture and Environment, Associate Professor Collins Okello, has called for a shift in farming practices, technology and the type of crops grown.
”Because of all these challenges, the traditional methods of farming alone, which were based on subsistence cultivation when we had a lot of land, can no longer be sustainable. We now need to adopt modern technologies, and this requires us as a university to actively participate in ensuring that the farmers get the best out of their efforts.”
Explaining that: ”We should not forget our traditional crops, which are climate-resilient. I want to give examples: millet is quite climate-resilient; this kind of climate will not affect it so much. We even have cocoyam; we have green gram; all these crops are being neglected.”
Mr Okello, who is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosystem Engineering at Gulu University, notes that problems relating to climate shock is a world problem and have greatly disrupted the food supply chain.
”As I speak today, the world is facing a lot of challenges; the global food supply system has been interrupted. We also have the challenge of climate change, which is affecting us. Productivity is low because of climate change; our yields are declining because of climate change, and this is a big problem for our farmers.
Mr Okello explains that the initial farming practices, including the use of rudimentary tools and planting of improved seeds, are no longer sustainable.
”As we speak now, there are many parts of the country where there is even hunger. This requires that the business or the type of farming we have been doing before, the traditional method of farming, we have to transition, taking into account the growing population.” He urges.
He adds, ” Can we develop organic chemicals so that our agriculture can be sustainable with less impact on the environment.”
Mr Okello says the University has partnered with several entities to increase agricultural productivity and profitability.
In Amuru District, smallholder farmers have been grouped into the Yele Keni Farmer Field School, under which they undertake agroecological practices and local value chains and are being supported by ESAFF Uganda.
Mr Francis Ocaya, the facilitator for Yele Keni Farmer Field School, says they are implementing value chains under the Rooted in Diversity program and have opened up 23 acres of land for planting, from which they expect 23 tons of Erudu White and Serenut 14R groundnut varieties
Mr Ocaya says, ” Since the weather is now unpredictable, we are looking for climate-resilient seed that can adapt to the weather conditions, so we are going for the variety which can tolerate climatic change to ensure that at the end of the season every family at least have something.”
Ms Margaret Akello, a farmer and member of Yele Keni Farmer Field School, explains that feasible practices such as lining crops made them realise at least one ton of groundnuts.
Another farmer, ”Mr Samuel Okwonga, described climate change as a chronic issue among farmers. We tried to come up with some mechanisms to deal with it, including adapting seeds which are very resilient to the climatic change.”
Mr Okwonga noted the need for irrigation facilities, saying, ”and if possible, we also request the government to supply us with some water resources.
Ms Josephine Hilda Nansubuga, the Business Development Officer at Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda, said they are supporting farmers in Amuru District not only on food security but also looking at value chain development so that they can improve their livelihoods and improve the work they do.
”In Amuru District, we are working with seven farmer groups; we have built their capacities in enterprise management, supported them to look for markets and value addition.”
”And for food security, we have trained the different farmers on growing and conserving local food plants, these food plants that are resilient to climate change and managed to construct community seed banks in Guru-Guru Sub-county to help conserve seeds for the farmers.” She added.
As stakeholders strive to enhance food security and productivity, Gulu University has entered into a five-year partnership with Epiflex Agrovet Solutions Limited to increase production and profitability.
”We look at various technologies, including mechanisation technologies and climate-smart agriculture; we even want to go further and incorporate artificial intelligence in Agriculture. We want to work with Epiflex to ensure that farmers get the best out of their agricultural operations.” Mr Okello noted.
”We have set out on this journey to help our farmers. Right now we are talking about climate-smart agriculture; that is the big topic right now, and rightfully so, because who knew in August we could be having temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. So things are changing, the environment is changing, our climate is changing. So Epiflex wants to bridge that gap.” Said Mr Alex Sekandi of Epiflex Agrovet Solutions Limited.