61
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_4
Gendered Adaptation and Coping
Mechanisms to Climate Variability
in Eastern Uganda Rice Farming Systems
Thelma Akongo and Charity Chonde
Abstract This chapter addresses the dynamics and realities of gender- differentiated
effects of climate variability on men and women in rice-growing systems in Uganda,
based on their capacity to adapt and cope. Findings show that climate variability has
reduced yields, cultivable area, and cropping sequence of major crops. Sixty-five
percent of the respondents perceived that yields for all the major crops reduced
while 25% perceived yield increase as a result of climate variability (p = 0.023 < 0.05).
Production of lowland rice variety Super reduced from 2100 kg/hectare in a normal
year to 200 kg/hectare in a drought year (p = 0.001 < 0.01) while K5 variety
decreased from 2625 kg/hectare to 1750 kg/hectare (p = 0.006 < 0.01). Upland rice
variety Kaiso declined from 2375 kg/hectare to 52.5 kg/hectare (p = 0.009 < 0.01).
More female respondents reported a decrease in cultivable area for almost all crops,
with the exception of cassava, compared to their male counterparts. There were
significant differences between the proportions of men and women who perceived
decreases in cultivable areas for rice (p = 0.015 < 0.05), maize (p = 0.03 < 0.05), and
groundnuts (p = 0.009 < 0.05). The study determines that both men and women are
affected by climate variability, becoming poorer with very limited economic,
human, and social resources to build resilience to climate change. It further determines that both men and women rely more on coping mechanisms to respond to
effects of climate variability, which are more short-term survival strategies compared to long-term adaptation strategies, given the nature of resources at their disposal. The study concludes by proposing appropriate institutional intervention
strategies to be integrated into rice commodity development.
T. Akongo (*)
Environment and Social Safeguards Unit, National Agricultural Research Organisation,
Entebbe, Uganda
C. Chonde
Extension Department, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Lilongwe, Malawi
e-mail: cchonde@luanar.ac.mw
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_4
Gendered Adaptation and Coping
Mechanisms to Climate Variability
in Eastern Uganda Rice Farming Systems
Thelma Akongo and Charity Chonde
Abstract This chapter addresses the dynamics and realities of gender- differentiated
effects of climate variability on men and women in rice-growing systems in Uganda,
based on their capacity to adapt and cope. Findings show that climate variability has
reduced yields, cultivable area, and cropping sequence of major crops. Sixty-five
percent of the respondents perceived that yields for all the major crops reduced
while 25% perceived yield increase as a result of climate variability (p = 0.023 < 0.05).
Production of lowland rice variety Super reduced from 2100 kg/hectare in a normal
year to 200 kg/hectare in a drought year (p = 0.001 < 0.01) while K5 variety
decreased from 2625 kg/hectare to 1750 kg/hectare (p = 0.006 < 0.01). Upland rice
variety Kaiso declined from 2375 kg/hectare to 52.5 kg/hectare (p = 0.009 < 0.01).
More female respondents reported a decrease in cultivable area for almost all crops,
with the exception of cassava, compared to their male counterparts. There were
significant differences between the proportions of men and women who perceived
decreases in cultivable areas for rice (p = 0.015 < 0.05), maize (p = 0.03 < 0.05), and
groundnuts (p = 0.009 < 0.05). The study determines that both men and women are
affected by climate variability, becoming poorer with very limited economic,
human, and social resources to build resilience to climate change. It further determines that both men and women rely more on coping mechanisms to respond to
effects of climate variability, which are more short-term survival strategies compared to long-term adaptation strategies, given the nature of resources at their disposal. The study concludes by proposing appropriate institutional intervention
strategies to be integrated into rice commodity development.
T. Akongo (*)
Environment and Social Safeguards Unit, National Agricultural Research Organisation,
Entebbe, Uganda
C. Chonde
Extension Department, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Lilongwe, Malawi
e-mail: cchonde@luanar.ac.mw